"Oh, yes, that can easily be done," assented the birdman.

"Say, you're going to have a fine outfit!" complimented Paul.

"Might as well have a good one while I'm at it," answered Dick, with
a laugh. "I've got to make good on dad's account anyhow. I can't
stand him laughing at me. I wish I had my airship now."

"I'll start building it, soon," promised Mr. Vardon.

"I'll want it in time for the summer vacation," went on Dick. "I'm
going to spend a lot of time in the air."

"Why don't you make a try for the prize?" suggested Mr. Vardon.

"What prize?" Dick wanted to know.

"Why the United States Government, to increase interest in airship
navigation, and construction, especially for army purposes, has
offered a prize of twenty thousand dollars for the first flight from
the Atlantic to the Pacific, or from New York to San Francisco, by
an airship carrying at least three persons. Only two landings are
allowed during the flight, to take on gasolene, or make repairs.
Why don't you try for that?"

"What, me try for that prize in the first airship I ever owned!"
exclaimed Dick. "I wouldn't have the nerve! I guess the government
doesn't want amateurs in the trans-continental flight."

"It doesn't make a bit of difference," declared Mr. Vardon. "It is