joyful because of the fifty dollars in his pocket, agreed to "hold
back" on the craft, to steady it until the necessary speed of the
motor had been attained. His hired man helped him.

Just as the captain was about to give the word to "let go" the other
airship was seen coming to look for the missing one. But there was
now no need of assistance, and, a moment later, Dick and his
companions again arose in the air.

A quick return was made to the Academy, those in the other airship
being informed, by a signal, that all was now right. When the story
of the queer landing was told, Dick was regarded as a hero by his
companions.

"Just think!" complained Paul, whimsically, "your first trip, and
you have an accident and you don't get so much as a scratch."

"Yes, but I got run over and knocked down by a pig," laughed Dick.
"I'll take the scratches, please. No more pigs!"

"And after that, are you still going to build an airship?" asked
Innis.

"I sure am! It's the greatest sensation in the world--aviation!
I wouldn't miss it for a fortune. And I'm going to pull down that
twenty thousand dollar prize; don't forget that, fellows."

"Good luck!" wished Paul.

In the days that followed there were many more airship flights, but