"We've got to have more speed, Dick!" called the aviator. "I'm
going to turn about and go down. It's the only way to get out of
their way. They're either crazy, or bent on their own destruction,
as well as ours. Give me more speed, Dick! All you can!"
"All right!" answered the young millionaire. "We'll do our best to
get out of your way, Uncle Ezra!"
As Dick hastened to the motor-room, Grit trotted after him, growling
in his deep voice at the mention of the name of the man he so
disliked.
Dick realized the emergency, and turned the gasolene throttle wide
open. With a throb and a roar, the motor took up the increase, and
whirled the big propellers with mighty force.
Then, in a last endeavor to prevent the collision, Mr. Vardon sent
the craft down at a sharp slant, intending to dive under the other.
But this move was anticipated by Larson, who was steering the
Larabee.
He, too, sent his craft down, but just when a collision seemed about
to take place, it was prevented by Mr. Vardon, who was a more
skillful pilot.
The propellers of the Abaris worked independently, on a sort of
differential gear, like the rear wheels of an automobile. This
enabled her to turn very short and quickly, by revolving one
propeller in one direction, and one in the opposite, as is done with
the twin screws of a steamer.
And this move alone prevented what might have been a tragedy. But
it was also the cause of a disaster to Dick's aircraft.
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