THE FLIGHT OF THE SILVER SHIP Around the World Aboard a Giant Dirigible by HUGH MCALISTER Author of “A VIKING OF THE SKY,” “FLAMING RIVER,” “STEVE HOLWORTH OF THE OLDHAM WORKS,” “CONQUEROR OF THE HIGHROAD,” “STAND BY” THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING COMPANY AKRON, OHIO NEW YORK Made in U. S. A. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE FLIGHT OF THE SILVER SHIP Copyright, MCMXXX by The Saalfield Publishing Company Printed in the United States of America ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CONTENTS I DAVID CHOOSES II LORD CRAM III THE SILVER SHIP IV ASSISTANT PILOT V A STOWAWAY VI THE CONTROL ROOM VII THROUGH THE STORM VIII THE CRADLE OF THE ZEPPELIN IX EASTWARD X BANZAI! XI A STUDENT PRINCE XII CUSTOMS AND COSTUMES XIII AN EAVESDROPPER XIV ON THE OBSERVER’S PLATFORM XV MORE SPEED XVI PARTNERS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Flight of the Silver Ship CHAPTER I DAVID CHOOSES David Ellison would never forget his last night at prep school. He had had a hard time explaining to his three best friends that his plans for college had failed. Lolling on the grass in the pleasant June dusk, enjoying the comfortable relaxation after the hectic hours of Commencement Day, he had put off the evil moment as long as he possibly could. Finally he exploded his bomb. “Well, fellows,” he said, “I am not going to college after all.” There was a silence. Three pairs of eyes regarded the speaker blankly. “The heat,” said a tall boy in a hushed tone, laying a hand on David’s unruly hair. “It’s that little girl he danced with four times yesterday at the tea,” a second remarked mournfully. “It’s because he leads the Honor Roll. He thinks he knows it all now,” jeered the third; then, “Kidding aside, Davie,” he said, “what’s up?” David hesitated, then took the plunge.