the whirr of the motors was heard, and with a rush along the
ground the contesting biplanes started upon the long race!

CHAPTER XXI

THE RACE WITH THE STORM

It seemed to most of the thousands of lookers-on as though both
biplanes left the green at the same instant. And as they speedily
soared upward it was impossible for any one among those left behind to
positively decide whether either one of the rivals had the slightest
lead.

Of course a hurricane of shouts had broken loose the very second there
came a forward movement. It was as though the repressed enthusiasm of
the vast throng had refused longer to remain bottled up, and just had
to find a vent.

Still that volume of sound would prove but a shadow to the wild
outburst by which the ultimate victor might expect to be greeted when
he came in later on.

Frank saw that his rival was right there alongside when they had sped
swiftly over what might be five miles; and it took very few minutes to
accomplish this part of the race, too.

"He's holding us, Frank!" shouted Andy, nervously.

"I know it; don't let that worry you!" was the composed reply he
received.

"But why don't you let go, and eat up ahead?" demanded the other again,
presently, when he had kept watching the progress of the second
biplane, and calculating the distance between them.

Truth to tell Andy was so suspicious of Percy that he felt a constant
dread lest the other might play some dastardly trick, meaning to thus
gain an advantage. Of course no one could guess what the nature of
this game might be; but he had the reputation of being a "slick one,"
and among boys that signifies a fellow who never hesitates to apply
mean tactics rather than accept a square "beat."

In that case the sooner they put on a spurt, and left their rival
behind, the better Andy would like it.

"I'm waiting to study his way of doing things first," Frank answered,
as steadily as though they were seated in the shop, discussing
arrangements. "Just hold your horses a bit, and we'll start something.
I'm nearly ready to begin showing what our new engine can do."

So the impatient Andy had to keep his eagerness in check, although his
very heart seemed to be eating itself with suspense.

Then he caught a quick breath. Frank moved his hand clutching the
speed lever. They had immediately commenced to increase their forward
motion to a perceptible extent.

Anxiously did Andy glue his eyes on the other aero