"I think so," responded Dave. "According to those electric lights
there is a park or some other large vacant space we can strike on
this angle."

"The mischief!" exclaimed Hiram abruptly as the Racer struck a lower
air current a strong blast of wind made it shake and reel. Then
there was a creak, a sway and a snap.

"Something broke!" shouted Hiram in excitement.

"Yes," answered Dave rapidly. "It's one of the right outermost
struts between the supporting planes."

"The one that snapped the other day," suggested Hiram.

"Likely. Grimshaw fixed it with glue and bracing, and fitting iron
rings about it. The vibration of the motor and the straining have
pulled the nail heads through the holes in the rings."

"Can you hold out?"

Dave did not reply. He felt new vibrations, and knew that the
strain of warping the wings at the tips had caused more than one of
the struts to collapse.

The young aviator realized that it would be a hard drop unless he
did something quickly and effectively. There was no time to think.
Counterbalance was everything.

Dave tried to restore the disturbed balance of the machine by