"
"But you'll double your money, and have a fine machine to sell to
the government," said Larson. "It will be all right. Give me money
for a larger carburetor."
"Well, if I have to I have to, I suppose," sighed the miserly old
man. "But try and make this one do."
It would not answer, however, and after trying in vain to get more
speed out of the craft, Larson was obliged to use one of the two
allowed descents, and go down to readjust the motor.
Then when a couple of days had elapsed, though of course this time
was not counted any more than in the case of Dick, another start
was made. The Larabee, as Uncle Ezra had called his craft, seemed
to do better, and at times she showed a spurt of speed that amazed
even Larson himself. They passed several who had started ahead of
them.
"We're sure to get that prize!" he exulted.
"Well, I cal'alate if we don't there'll be trouble," declared Uncle
Ezra, grimly.
Then they had run into the storm, as had Dick's craft, and several
other competing ones, and Larson, the army man and Uncle Ezra were
in great difficulties. But they forced their machine on.
Of course Dick and his friends knew nothing of this at the time, as
several hundred miles then separated the two airships.
Onward and upward went the Abaris. Now and then she seemed to gain
on the wind, but it was a hard struggle.
"I think we're going to do it, though," declared Dick, as he went
about with the aviator, looking at and testing the various pieces
of machinery.
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