Dick Hamilton's Airship; Or, A Young Millionaire in the Clouds
John Stuart Mill · en
"We could ask that some be brought from the army post, if we have not,"
Dick answered. "I think we will adopt that plan.''
"And I--I hope you win," said Uncle Ezra. "I'd like to see that twenty
thousand dollars come into the family, anyhow," he added, with a
mountainous sigh.
CHAPTER XXXIII
WITH UNCLE EZRA'S HELP
"We're off!"
"On the last lap!"
"No more landings!"
Thus cried Innis, Paul and Larry as they stood in the cabin of the
airship. Once more they were on the flight.
"This train makes no stops this side of San Francisco!" cried Dick
Hamilton, after the manner of the conductor of a Limited. "That is, I
hope we don't," he added with a grim smile. "If we do it will cost me
twenty thousand dollars."
"Quite an expensive stop," observed Lieutenant McBride.
"Don't think of it!" said Uncle Ezra. "Nephew Richard, after my
failure, you've just GOT to win that prize."
"I'll try," Dick answered.
It was several days after the events narrated in the last chapter. The
wireless, sending out its crackling call, had brought speedy help from
the army post, and the two lieutenants were taken to the hospital by
their fellow soldiers.
Larson recovered consciousness before Dick and his friends left, but
was delirious, and practically insane. They had to bind him with ropes
to prevent him doing himself and others an injury. His mind had been
affected for some time, it was believed.
Some time later, I am glad to say, he recovered, in a sanitorium,
though he was always lame from the accident. He was a much different
man, however, and begged Dick's forgiveness for trying to collide with
him. Lieutenant Wilson made a quick recovery, and, in spite of the
mishap, still kept up his interest in aviation, winning much fame for
himself.
The army officers, who came to attend the injured ones, brought Dick
some supplies and gasolene.
Uncle Ezra begged that some part of his wrecked airship be saved, but
it was impossible. There was little left that was worth anything, and
Dick, by taking his uncle as an extra passenger, added enough weight as
it was, so that no parts of the Larabee could be taken along.
"I might have saved a little," said Uncle Ezra, with a sigh. "I've
lost a pile of money!" But he realized that it was out of the question.
The Abaris had been gone over minutely, and put in excellent shape for
her final dash. She was taken to the edge of a sloping table-land and
there once more launched into space. Before that, however, Lieutenant
Wilson had been taken back to the army post, and Larson sent to the
hospital. Lieutenant Wilson wished Dick and his friends all sorts of
good luck.
Then, with Uncle Ezra aboard, the start was made. There was some
crowding, because of the extra passenger, and his valise, which he
insisted on bringing with him, but this could be borne.
"We ought to make San Francisco in three hours now," said Dick, when
they were up in the air once more.