"Dick Hamilton!" called the commandant, and our hero stepped forward for his first airship flight. CHAPTER VII A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane. "Well, I'll try my best," answered Dick, smiling ruefully. "Am I to do anything?" "Not a thing," Captain Grantly assured him. "Just sit still; that's all." Dick rather wished he could have gone in the other machine, for he had no liking for the surly lieutenant with the captain. But Dick had been assigned to this craft, and military rules prevailed at Kentfield. You did as you were told without question. Dick took his place, and watched with interest the operations of Captain Grantly and his lieutenant. Whatever one thought of the latter, personally, it must be admitted that he knew his business when it came to airships. In some matters even his superior officer, Captain Grantley, deferred to the judgment of Larson. "You won't have to do a thing," went on the lieutenant to Dick. "Just sit still, and, above all, no matter what happens, don't touch any of the wheels or levers." "No, that might wreck us," added the captain. "We'll manipulate the machine, at the same time telling you, and showing you, how to do it. In time you will run it yourself, with us looking on, and I believe it is the intention of Colonel Masterly to have you cadets finally operate a machine on your own responsibility." "I hope I may learn to do so," spoke Dick, "for I'm going to have a craft of my own." "Are you indeed?" asked the captain, interestedly. "It's rather an expensive pleasure--not like automobiling." "Well, luckily or not, I happen to have plenty of money," said Dick. "I'm going to have quite a large machine built." Was it fancy, or did Lieutenant Larson look at Dick with peculiar meaning in his rather shifty eyes. Dick, however, was too much occupied in the coming flight to pay much attention to this. "If you're going to have a machine, perhaps you're going to have a try for the twenty thousand dollar prize," suggested Captain Grantly, as he tested the gasolene and spark levers, and looked at several turn-buckles which tightened the guy wires. "Well, I have about decided to," answered Dick, looking over at the other aircraft, in which Paul Drew was to make an ascent. "Jove! I wish I had that chance!" exclaimed Larson. "I'm sure, with my mercury balancer I could--" "There you go again!" cried Captain Grantly. "I tell you your idea is all wrong about that balancer! Wing warping is the only proper way." "But that isn't automatic, and what is needed is an automatic balancer or equilibrizer," insisted the lieutenant. "Well, we won't discuss it now," went on the captain. "Are you all ready, Mr. Hamilton?" "All ready, yes, sir."