Dick Hamilton's Airship; Or, A Young Millionaire in the Clouds

s helper a quick a

idently had not. He gave the machinist a glance, however, that was not the most pleasant in the world. It was ev

liked, but not to meddle with the apparatus, the two lieutenants left the sheds, to repor

ator. "Compared to my poor pile of

n't it?" asked Dick. "You can

worse than I thought. My gyroscope attachment is a to

flight!" declared Jack, with conviction. "And I'm sure HE did it!" he adde

things!" cried the avia

Jack. "Maybe he didn't intend to kill us, or hurt us, but he sure

gyroscope?"

over which Lieutenant Larson and I

eat problems of aviation is how to keep a machine from turning turtle, or turning over, when it strikes an unexpected current, or 'air pocket' in the upper re

airship would right itself, and take care of the une

izer. A gyroscope, you know, is a heavy wheel, spinning at enormous speed, on an anti-friction axle. Its great speed

l is spinning that, and the ring in which it is contained, may be placed in almos

ate of equilibrium no matter what position we were forced to take by reason of ad

. It seemed to be perfect, and, with Jack and Harry, I had made a number

brium, and his plan, which he wanted me to adopt, consists of tubes of mercury that can automatically be tilted at different angles. I do not believe they will ever work, a

e Lieutenant Larson was professionally jealous.

e of his important drawings behind when he went away, but I noticed that he hung around the airship a good bit. I saw him lo

ay such things,"

d you found something wrong with the gyroscope,

may have occurr

ent on the helper. "I noticed it, and I believe that mean lieutenant

ieve that of anyone," sp

him," said Jack. "He won't get anot

ing to Mr. Vardon. They seemed very much in earnest, and at Dick's approach the avi

r ch

ked Dick, quickly. "Has

that's only one of his troubles. He's practically lost every cent he has in the world, and he's deeply in debt, for he borrowed money

much money himself, since some of his investments failed, or he'd pull my cousin out of this hole. But, as it is, I

t a moment, an

f he had a contract to build airships, and c

'd give him such a contract, especially after this accident? And he hasn't any money

meone would," sa

ked Innis

o have an airship, since dad consented, though I believe he's secretly laughing at me.

uld make some money that way. I'd a good deal rather give him a chance on the work, than some stranger. Besides, I like his idea of a gyroscope, and,

ll jump at the chance! You try him, and

d Dick. "I've got to have somebody build my airship, an

find him and tell him. He needs something to cheer him

o accept Dick's offer is putting it mi

e," he said. "I guess my cousin has told you I'm

plenty of money, through no fault of my own, a

e will be preliminary expenses, I'm going to advance you some cash

me so," agree

'll want your stab

It will give me a fine chance to

nd Larry Dexter were talking about some of the f

p?" asked the young millionaire, as an exchange of wire

easily be done," as

o have a fine outfit

with a laugh. "I've got to make good on dad's account anyhow.

ing it, soon," pr

vacation," went on Dick. "I'm going

try for the prize?"

?" Dick wan

rize of twenty thousand dollars for the first flight from the Atlantic to the Pacific, or from New York to San Francisco, by an airship carryi

!" exclaimed Dick. "I wouldn't have the nerve! I guess the gov

e as much, if not more, than the professionals, to advance and improve aviation. Why, as a matter of fact, we're all amateurs. We are learn

about it," said th

entry blanks for the government prize conte

or that prize. It will give us an object, instead of merely flying aimlessly about. And i

help you!"

od story of it," pr

et the airship first,"

er that," promised

oncerning the making and flying of airships. In the former Mr. Vardon was the chief lecturer, as h

Mr. Vardon in this respect. And so the cadets looked on and listened, watching the army aviators test their machin

n for some time now, and it is necessary, if you keep on with it, to have practical work. Therefore we have decided that, taking turns, those cadets in thi

the first flight. Don't all speak at onc

ause, and then, from where he sat,

oluntee

d comment that the colon

olunteer!" spoke

and then several more a

the starting ground were the two big machines, being look

in Grantly to Major Rockford. "Th

andant, and our hero stepped for