"I guess not!"
He started off, trudging along with his cane, but paused long enough
to call back:
"Oh, Nephew Richard, I got the cook to put me up some sandwiches.
I can eat them on the train, and save buying. The idea of charging
ten cents in the railroad restaurant! It's robbery! I had her use
stale bread, so that won't be wasted."
Dick hopelessly shook his head. He really could say nothing.
His chums knew Uncle Ezra's character, and sympathized with their
friend.
The cadets resumed work on the big airship. The framework of the
wings had been completed, and all that was necessary was to stretch
on the specially made canvas. The cabin was nearing completion,
and the place for the engine had been built. The big propellers had
been constructed of several layers of mahogany, and tested at a
speed to which they would never be subjected in a flight. The
bicycle wheels on which the big airship would run along the ground,
until it had acquired momentum for a rise, were put in place.
"I didn't just like those hydroplanes, though," said Dick, who had
added them as an after thought. "I think they should be made
larger."
"And I agree with you," said Mr. Vardon. "The only use you will
have for the hydroplanes, or wheel-pontoons, will be in case you
are compelled to make a landing on the water. But they should be
larger, or you will not float sufficiently high. Make them larger.
But it will cost more money."
"I don't mind that," returned Dick.
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