"Well, as I said before, it's flyin' in the face of Providence,"
declared Mrs. Larabee. "I might as well order my mourning now, and
be done with it."
"Oh, I ain't aiming to be killed," chuckled Uncle Ezra. "I guess
it's safe enough. I've got to get my money back out of this thing."
Lieutenant Larson, with one of the helpers, made the first flight.
He did not go very high, so that Uncle Ezra would have confidence.
When he came back to the starting point he asked:
"Well, will you take a chance?"
"I--I guess so," replied Mr. Larabee, and his voice was not very
steady.
"I'm goin' in the house," announced Mrs. Larabee. "I don't want to
see it!"
Uncle Ezra took his place.
"I've got accident insurance in case anything happens," he said,
slowly.
"I don't believe your policy covers airship flights," the lieutenant
returned.
"Then let me out!" cried Uncle Ezra. "I'll have the policy changed!
I'm not going to take any such chances!"
"It's too late! " cried Larson. "Here we go!" The engine was
thundering away, and a moment later the craft shot over the ground
and into the air. Uncle Ezra was flying at last.
CHAPTER XIX
UNCLE EZRA'S ACCIDENT
For some seconds after he had been taken up in the atmosphere in
his airship, Uncle Ezra said nothing. He just sat there in the
padded seat, clutching with his hands the rails in so tight a grip
that his knuckles showed white.
Up and up they went, Larson skillfully guiding the craft, until they
were a considerable distance above the earth.
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