dly racing here and there, barking
loudly. He did not understand the use of the big, queer-looking
machine.

"Well, I'm just in time, I see!" exclaimed a voice from the direction
of the house. Dick turned and cried:

"Hello, Larry, old man. I'm glad you got here. I was afraid you
wouldn't," and he vigorously shook hands with the young reporter, who
also greeted the other cadets. Grit leaped joyfully upon him, for he
and Larry were great friends.

"Going to take her up, Dick?" asked Larry Dexter.

"Going to try," was the cautious answer.

"Want to take a chance?"

"I sure do! It won't be the first chance I've taken. And I may get a
good story out of this. Got orders from the editor not to let anything
get away from me."

"Well, I hope you have a success to report, and not a failure,"
remarked Paul.

"Same here," echoed Beeby.

When the airship had been hauled to the edge of the starting ground, a
smooth, hard-packed, level space, inclining slightly down grade, so as
to give every advantage, a careful inspection was made of every part of
the craft.

As I have explained, all the vital parts of the Abaris were in the
enclosed cabin, a unique feature of the airship. In that, located
"amid-ships," was the big motor, the various controls, the living,
sleeping and dining-rooms and storage compartments for oil, gasolene
and supplies. Naturally there was no excess room, and quarters were
almost as cramped as on a submarine, where every inch counts.

But there was room enough to move about, and have some comfort. On an
enclosed platform back of the cabin there was more space. That was
like an open deck, and those on it would be protected from the fierce
rushing of the air, by means of the cabin. This cabin, I might add,
was built wedge-shaped, with the small part pointing ahead, to cut down
the air resistance as much as possible.

The big propellers were of course outside the cabin, and in the rear,
where was located the horizontal rudder, for guiding the craft to right
or left. At the rear was also an auxiliary vertical rudder, for
elevating or lowering the craft. The main elevation rudder was in
front, and this was of a new shape, never before used, as far as Mr.
Vardon knew.

There was another feature of the Abaris that was new and one which
added much to the comfort and safety of those aboard her. This had to
do with the starting of the motor and the operation of the big wooden
propellers.