Their faces were covered with
black grease, dirt and oil. But still they labored on. The storm
grew worse, and it was all the Abaris could do to stagger ahead,
handicapped as she was by half power.
But there were valiant hearts aboard her, and everyone was imbued
with indomitable courage.
"We're going to do it!" Dick cried, fiercely, and the others echoed
his words.
Finally, after many hours of work, the last rivet was driven home,
and Mr. Vardon cried:
"There we are! Now then, full speed ahead!"
The repaired propeller was thrown into gear. It meshed perfectly,
and once more the Abaris shot ahead under her full power.
"Speed her up!" cried Dick, and the motor was put to the limit. But
much precious time had been lost. Could they win under such adverse
circumstances? It was a question each one asked himself.
Darkness came on, and the tired and weary aviators ate and slept.
The night passed, a clear, calm night, for the storm had blown
itself out. High over the mountains soared the airship through the
hours of darkness. She was fighting to recover what she had lost.
And when morning came they calculated they were but a few hundred
miles from San Francisco.
Paul, who had gone to the pilot-house to relieve Innis, gave a
startled cry.
"Look! Look!" he shouted. "There's the other airship!"
And as the others looked they saw, ahead of them, emerging from the
midst of a cloud, Uncle Ezra's speedy craft.
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