"I don't know's I'm hurt such a terrible lot," was the slow answer, "but my clothes are all dirt. This suit is plumb ruined now. I swan I'd never have gone in for airships if I knew how expensive they'd be. This suit cost thirteen dollars and--" "You're lucky you don't have to pay for a funeral," was the lieutenant's grim answer. "You must look to your seat strap better than that." "Well, I didn't know the blamed thing was going to cut up like this!" returned the crabbed old man. "That's no way to land." "I know it. But I couldn't help it," was the answer. "I'm glad you're not hurt. But I think we have attracted some attention. Here comes someone." A man was running through the orchard. "It's Hank Crittenden, and he hates me like poison!" murmured Uncle Ezra, as he arose from the pile of dirt, and tried to get some of it off his clothes. "Hi, there! What's this mean?" demanded Hank, as he rushed up, clutching a stout club. "What d'ye mean, comin' down in my orchard, and bustin' up my best Baldwin tree? What d'ye mean?" "It was an accident--purely an accident," said Lieutenant Larson, suavely. "It could not be helped." "Accident? You done it on puppose, that's what you did!" cried Hank, glaring at Uncle Ezra. "You done it on puppose, and I'll sue ye for damages, that's what I'll do! That Baldwin apple tree was one of the best in my orchard." "Well, we didn't mean to do it," declared Mr. Larabee. "And if you sue we can prove in court it was an accident. So you'll have your trouble for your pains." "I will, hey? Well, I'll show you, Ezra Larabee. I'll teach you to come around here bustin' my things up with your old airship! You ought to be ashamed of yourself, a man of your age, trying to fly like a hen or rooster." "I'm trying for the government prize," said Dick's uncle, weakly. "Huh! A heap sight chance YOU have of winnin' a prize, flyin' like that!" sneered Mr. Crittenden. "Comin' down in my orchard that way!" "It was an accident," went on the former army man. "We were making a landing, but we did not intend to come clown just in that spot. We are sorry the tree is broken, but accidents will happen, and--" "Yes, and them as does 'em must pay for 'em!" exclaimed Hank. At the mention of money Uncle Ezra looked pained. He looked more so when Hank went on: "I'll have damages for that tree, that's what I'll have and good damages too. That was my best Baldwin tree--" "You told us that before," said Larson, as he began to wheel the aeroplane out into an open space where he could get it started again. "Here, where you takin' that?" demanded Hank, suspiciously. "We're going to fly back to Dankville," replied Mr. Larson. "No, you ain't! You ain't goin' t' move that machine until you pay fer the damage to my tree!" insisted Hank, as he took a firmer grasp of the club. "I want ten dollars for what you done to my tree." "Ten dollars!" grasped Uncle Ezra. "'Tain't wuth half that if it was loaded with apples."