The cadet was ready to lend
any assistance that might be needed in working the airship.
"Yes, there is quite a bunch," observed Dick, as he opened the
gasolene throttle a little wider, and took a quick glance down
through the celluloid bull's-eye in the floor of the cabin. "It's
a big meet."
They were flying over a big aviation park, that Mr. Vardon at once
recognized as one in which he had given several exhibitions.
"This is quite a meet, all right," the aviator remarked as he noted
at least ten machines in the air at one time. There were mono and
biplanes, but only two of the latter were near enough to Dick's
machine to engage in the impromptu race with it.
"How are we coming on?" asked Paul.
"Holding our own," answered the young millionaire. "I haven't
started to speed yet. I'm waiting to see what those fellows are
going to do."
The latter, however, were evidently also hanging back trying to "get
a line" on the performance of the big craft. The pilots of the
lower biplanes could, very likely, tell by the size of the Abaris
that she was no ordinary airship, and, in all probability, they had
read of her, and of the try for the prize. For Larry Dexter made
a good press agent, and had written many a story of Dick's plans.
"Now they're coming on," cried Dick, as he saw one of the lower
machines dart ahead of the other. "He's trying to get me to sprint,
I guess."
"Why don't you try it now?" suggested Mr. Vardon.
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