Frenchman to be a minute ahead of the Boy Aviators.

With a quick movement Frank threw his engine first into neutral, then
medium, and then up to third speed.

"Let go," he shouted with a sweep of his hand to the volunteers
holding back the big 'plane, and the next instant they were off once
more and on the home stretch.

Simultaneously a rush of wings sounded close beside them and the black
aeroplane swept by them, seemingly gathering velocity at every
revolution of its engine.

"That's a great machine," exclaimed Frank admiringly.

"But ours is a better one," expostulated Harry.

"That's to be seen, Harry," rejoined his brother, "he's a minute ahead
of us now, you know."

"I hope he breaks down," exclaimed the younger lad.

"No, if we beat him, we want to do it fairly and squarely," replied
Frank. "I think we have a better machine, and the only way to prove it
is to beat the Buzzard at its best."

No more words were exchanged as the two machines tore onward back
toward the starting-point.

The others had lost so much time getting into the air at the