He parted with
cash most reluctantly.
However, he had officially made his entry for the government prize,
and he could not withdraw now. He must keep on. Lieutenant Larson
arranged with one of the army aviators to accompany them on the
prospective trip from coast to coast, and finally Larson announced
that he was ready to start for New York, where the flight would
officially begin.
"Well, Ezra," said his wife, as he climbed into the machine on the
day appointed, "I don't like to be a discourager, and throw cold
water on you, but I don't reckon I'll ever see you again, Ezra,"
and she wiped her eyes.
"Oh, pshaw! Of course you'll see me again!" her husband cried. "I'm
going to come back with that twenty thousand dollars. And I--I'll
buy a new carriage;--that's what I will!"
"That's awful good of you, Ezra," she said. "But I'm not countin'
on it. I'm afraid you'll never come back," she sighed.
"Oh, yes, I will!" he declared. "Good-bye!"
They were to pick up the army officer in New York, and so Larson
and Uncle Ezra made the first part of the journey alone. They had
considerable trouble on the way, having to come down a number of
times.
"Say, if she's going to work this way what will happen when we start
for San Francisco?" asked Mr. Larabee.
"Oh, it will be all right when I make a few changes in her," the
lieutenant said. "And when we have another man aboard she'll ride
easier."
"Well, I hope so," murmured Uncle Ezra.
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