"Oh, I'm not worrying about any accident," said Dick quickly. "I'm
only afraid we've made her too big and won't get any speed out of
her. And speed is what's going to count in this trans-continental
flight."
"She'll be speedy enough," predicted Mr. Vardon, with a confident
air.
Paul, Innis, Larry and Mr. Vardon entered the cabin. Then Dick went
in, followed by Jack Butt, who remained to tighten a guy wire that
was not just to his satisfaction.
"Well, are we all here?" asked Dick, looking around.
"Yes," answered Paul, and there was a note of quiet apprehension in
his voice. Indeed it was rather a risk they were all taking, but
they had confidence in Mr. Vardon.
"Let her go," said Dick to the aviator.
"No, you have the honor of starting her, Mr. Hamilton," insisted
Mr. Vardon, motioning to the electrical apparatus.
"All right! Here goes," announced the wealthy youth, as he pressed
the starting handle. Everyone was on the alert, but nothing
happened. The motor remained "dead."
"What's the trouble?" asked Dick.
"You've always got to turn that switch first, before you turn the
starting handle," explained Jack.
"Oh, sure! How stupid of me!" cried Dick. "And I've started it in
practice a score of times. Well, now, once more."
This time, when the switch had been thrown, the motor started at
once with a throbbing roar. Faster and faster it rotated until the
whole craft trembled. There was considerable noise, for the muffler
was not fully closed.
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