"
By figuring out the rate of speed, and comparing the elapsed time,
and then by figuring on a scale map, it was estimated, as dusk
settled down, that they were about on the border line between
Pennsylvania and Ohio.
"We'll cross the state of Ohio tonight," spoke Dick, "and by morning
we ought to be in Indiana. Not so bad, considering that we haven't
really pushed the machine to the limit yet, except in that little
brush with the other airships."
"Yes, we are doing very well," said Mr. Vardon. "I wonder how some
of our competitors are making out? I'd like to get some news of
them."
"So would I," went on Dick. "Particularly my Uncle Ezra."
Had he but known it, Mr. Larabee, in his airship with Larson and
the army man, was following close after him. For really the big
biplane, with the mercury stabilizers, which Larson had constructed,
was a fine craft, and capable. That Larson had cheated Mr. Larabee
out of considerable money in the building had nothing to do with the
working of the apparatus. But of Uncle Ezra and his aircraft more
later.
"We'll get some news the first landing we make," suggested
Lieutenant McBride.
"Well, I would like to get news all right," admitted Dick. "But I
don't want to go down until I have to. Now for supper. Anything
you fellows would like, especially?"
"Green turtle soup for mine!" sung out Larry.
"I'll have pickled eels' feet," laughed Innis, who had relinquished
the wheel to Mr.
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