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"Say, if she's going to work this way what will happen when we start for San Francisco?" asked Mr. Larabee. "Oh, it will be all right when I make a few changes in her," the lieutenant said. "And when we have another man aboard she'll ride easier." "Well, I hope so," murmured Uncle Ezra. "But more changes! Will they er cost money?" "A little." Uncle Ezra groaned.
I've sunk almost enough money in that shebang to dig a gold mine, and I haven't got any out yet not a cent, and I'm losing interest all the while." "Well, but think of the twenty thousand dollars!" "Yes, I s'pose I've got to. That's the only consolation I have left." The above conversation took place one afternoon between Ezra Larabee and Lieutenant Larson.
The Larabee, as Uncle Ezra had called his craft, seemed to do better, and at times she showed a spurt of speed that amazed even Larson himself. They passed several who had started ahead of them. "We're sure to get that prize!" he exulted. "Well, I cal'alate if we don't there'll be trouble," declared Uncle Ezra, grimly.
"Don't ask me, when he's as big and husky as any two of mine!" said she, reassuringly. "I guess you do jest about right. But, Shandy, you've got to shorten him." "Well, what'll I get?" asked Shandon. Mrs. Larabee, in her element, considered. "You'll want about eight good, strong calico rompers," she began authoritatively. Then suddenly she interrupted herself.
"And, Miss Larrabee," continued Beverly in his solemnest tones, "A young man who will put his arm around a girl will go further yes, Miss Larabee much further. He will kiss her!" Whereat he nodded his head and shook it at the awful thought. Miss Larrabee drew in a shocked breath and gasped: "Do you really think so, Mr. Amidon? I couldn't imagine such a thing!"
It was Shandon Waters, who came in with a bitter rush of storm and wet air. She had little Dan in her arms. Drops of rain glittered on her hanging braids and on the shawl with which the child was wrapped, and beyond her the wind snarled and screamed like a disappointed animal. She went straight through the frightened, parting group to Mrs. Larabee, and held out the child.
She waved toward them one of the slippers she was cleaning. "Walt said somethin' about it yes'day," continued Mrs. Larabee, with relish, "but I said no; no twelve-mile drive for me, with a young baby! But some folks we know came down on the morning train you girls have heard me speak of Ed and Lizzie Purdy?" "Oh, yes!" said Mary Bell, sick with one more disappointment.
"And that's just what I don't want you to get none of you," went on Mr. Larabee, looking at Dick's chums. "I don't want to be mean to my dead sister's boy," he added, "but my airship ain't in shape yet to be inspected." "Well, if it isn't finished, perhaps we can give you some advice," said Dick, with a smile. "Huh! I don't want no advice, thank you," said Uncle Ezra, stiffly.
He JOHNNIE!" terror shook her voice when she saw the other's face, "Johnnie, is he going to die?" she said. "Mushrooms!" echoed Mrs. Larabee, gravely, shaking her head. And a score of other women looking over her shoulder at the child, who lay breathing heavily with his eyes shut, shook their heads, too. "You'd better take him right home with me, dearie," Mrs.
"He's alive," said his nephew, feeling of the old man's heart. "He's still breathing." Lieutenant Wilson, as the name of the army officer on the Larabee was learned later to be, seemed quite badly injured. He was tangled up in the wreckage, and it took some work to extricate him. Larson was the most severely hurt. He was tenderly placed to one side. Fortunately the wreck had not caught fire.
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