In ten minutes the big race would start.




CHAPTER X.

THE AERO RACE.


"Bang!"

As the echoes of the starting gun sounded, and women screamed at the
loud report, a dozen air-craft shot forward like horses leaping from
the barrier at a race-track.

Off over the ground they scudded--faster--faster--faster.

From their wheels arose clouds of dust and a trail of gasolene-tainted
blue smoke spread behind them, like the tail of a comet. After a run
of about five hundred feet a shout arose from the crowd as the Buzzard
left the ground and suddenly shot upward. The next minute she was
followed closely by the Golden Eagle.

A thrill of excitement swept through the throng as the two aeroplanes
almost simultaneously rose.

Another air-craft, and then another, closely followed by a third, took
off after the first two. It was a magnificent spectacle and the roar