"Oh, nothing," was the answer. "I just thought of something, but
it's too preposterous to mention. Say, Mr. Vardon, when do you
expect our engine?"
"Oh, in about a week now. I won't be ready for it before then. We
can give it a try-out on the blocks before we mount it, to see if
it develops enough speed and power. But have you made your official
entry for the prize yet?"
"No, and I think I'd better," Dick said. "I'll do it at once."
Dick and his chums had their lunch, and then went for a ride in
Dick's motor-boat, which had been brought on from Kentfield. They
had a jolly time, and later in the afternoon returned to watch the
construction of the airship.
The building of the Abaris, as Dick had decided to call his craft,
went on apace during the days that followed. Uncle Ezra was more
interested than Dick had believed possible, and prolonged his stay
nearly a week. He paid many visits to the airship shed.
Mr. Vardon, and Jack, his right-hand man, and the other workmen
labored hard. The airship began to look like what she was intended
for. She was of a new model and shape, and seemed to be just what
Dick wanted. Of course she was in a sense an experiment.
The main cabin, though, containing the living and sleeping quarters,
as well as the machinery, was what most pleased Dick and his chums.
"It's like traveling in a first-class motor-boat, only up in the
clouds, instead of in the water," declared Innis.
CHAPTER XI
A SURPRISE
"Toss over that monkey wrench; will you?"
"Say, who had the saw last?"
"I know I laid a hammer down here, but it's gone now!"
"Look out there! Low bridge! Gangway! One side!"
These, and many other cries and calls, came from the big barn-like
shed, where Dick Hamilton's airship was being constructed.
Pages:
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91