zenhurst; that is, they could easily see
the many houses of the town; and the commons near the center.

"Another big crowd waiting there to see us turn the liberty pole,"
ventured Andy, who had been using the glasses a brief time before,
perhaps in the vague hope of being able to discover a certain
fluttering handkerchief among the waving hundreds, that had a familiar
face behind it.

"I guess it's about time we took the lead, if we can," observed Frank.

He had no sooner spoken these words than Andy felt the sudden change of
pace; for it seemed to him that the biplane actually jumped forward.
When he heard loud shouts of rage and chagrin from the direction of the
other aeroplane he did not need to be told that Percy had no further
speed to let loose; and that he recognized the fact of sure defeat
staring him in the face, unless fortune proved kind, and brought about
some accident to Frank's machine.

If what Percy must be wishing in his heart just then could only be
realized, no doubt the leading biplane would crumple up, and drop to
the ground like a crippled bird.

But no such event came to pass. Frank continued to slowly but steadily
gain on his competitor. He knew that undoubtedly Percy was trying, by
every means possible, to increase the power of his engine, already
taxed to the utmost limit.

"How is it now?" asked Frank, as they began to gradually descend, so as
to get within the proper distance from the earth at the time they made
the sweep around the liberty pole.

"Still gaining a foot at a time!" shouted the exultant Andy; who
thought things could hardly have been better for him, if they were
allowed to pass around that stake with their rival trailing in the
rear--for surely _she_ would see him there in the limelight, and he was
eager to pick Miss Alice out of those many hundreds gathered to cheer
the plucky air navigators on their way.

Now they could hear the hoarse shouts that arose. All Hazenhurst had
apparently gathered for this grand spectacle of man conquering the air.
It was an inspiring sight; and while the younger element cheered madly,
the older people gazed in sheer awe at seeing what, most of them had up
to now, doubted could ever come to pass.

Frank was keenly awake to everything. He did not mean to make any
mistake at this critical moment. It was the part of wisdom to circle
around the liberty pole at quite a little distance. Likely enough
Percy would be more reckless, and cu