CHAPTER XIII
WINNING A PRIZE
Indeed it did seem that nothing could save Noddy and Bill. With thespeed of the wind, and like a bird with a broken wing, their aeroplanewas shooting downward. The two could be seen, even in the gatheringdusk, to be working desperately to throw up the head planes or thelifting rudder. If this could be done the biplane would shoot upward ona slant, and its swift downward flight would be checked.
"His rudder lines must be jammed," murmured Jerry in a low voice.
There were expressions of horror from the crowd. The aeroplane was nowwithin a hundred feet of the ground.
Suddenly there was a flutter of white at the prow, a flash of a canvasplane, and the nose of the craft appeared to tilt upward.
"He's done it!" cried Ned. "He's got the rudder to work! Now he cansave himself!"
"If it isn't too late," added Bob.
But Noddy proved himself to have some pluck, and he showed not a littleknowledge of how to manage his machine. Quickly throwing up the forwardplane, he sent his craft along on a slightly upward slant. This checkedit almost like a brake, and, when he had considerably reduced themomentum, he shifted the rudder lines, and once more headed for theearth.
There was a cheer from the crowd, and our friends could not helpjoining in it, even though they had no love for Noddy or Bill.
"He's all right now, if he keeps control of it," spoke Jerry.
Whether Noddy did not keep control of it, or whether the experiencethrough which he had just passed shook his nerves was not manifest, butas a matter of fact he came down to the ground on too short a slant,and without checking enough of his speed.
There was a splintering sound, a breaking of metal, and the bicyclewheels of the aeroplane collapsed under the sudden shock. Noddy andBill were thrown out, but not hurt beyond a severe shaking up. Willinghands assisted them to rise.
"You had a lucky escape," commented one man.
"I should say yes," chimed in another. "I thought it was all up withyou."
"Oh, we're tough; eh, Bill?" cried Noddy with a boastful laugh. "I knewwe'd come out all right. The tilting rudder got jammed. But I guess ourmachine is badly smashed."
"No, a new set of wheels and a couple of springs is all it needs,"decided one of the aeronauts after an inspection. "There are a lot ofspare parts here. You can get fixed up in time for the race."
"He's got more pluck than I gave him credit for," remarked Bob, as heand his chums went back to their quarters and proceeded to get supper.
There were busy times next day for all concerned in the meet.Officials were making the final arrangements for handling the crowdsthey expected; exhibitors and those who expected to take part in theflights and races were "tuning up" their motors, or making repairs orchanges in their machines. Some of the earlier comers were taking shortflights, and one daring Frenchman, in a tiny machine, was circling highin the air, trying for a record.
Our heroes found a few changes necessary to make to their craft, andthey were so busy over them that they paid little attention to what wasgoing on outside. In the afternoon Ned, who had gone to the secretaryto secure some information concerning the time of certain races,reported that Noddy's machine had been repaired and that the bully andBill were going to make another flight.
"How'd he get another set of wheels so soon?" asked Jerry, pausing witha small bicycle wrench in his hand. He had been tightening some of theturnbuckles of the guy wires.
"Oh there was a set here that some one left or didn't want and someextra tires," replied the merchant's son. "Say, you ought to see them.They're almost as big as automobile wheels, with thick, heavy tireson them, and those raised, right-angle, anti-skid projections on therubber. They make a track in the mud like a lot of chickens."
"What made Noddy put on such heavy tires?" asked Bob.
"Guess he hadn't any choice," answered Ned. "He's going to take part inthe hundred mile race to-morrow, and he wants to be ready, I guess."
"I hope we win that race," remarked Jerry thoughtfully.
"Why there isn't much money in it," went on Ned. "There's twenty-fivehundred dollars for the machine that makes the best height record. Ishould think you'd care more about that. It's only a thousand and thegold cup for the winner of the hundred mile race."
"I know it, but it's the cup I want for a trophy," said Jerry. "Wedon't really need the money, but I like the glory. Besides, going aftera height record is rather monotonous, just circling about in a spiral.Of course it's sensational for the crowd to watch, and that's why themanagement offer a big money prize for it. But the best test of anaeroplane is in a long distance flight. I hope we win."
Of course Ned and Bob did also, though there was a difference ofopinion as to which race would confer the greater honor if won.
There were many machines in flight now, in preparation for the nextday. There were a number of biplanes, including Noddy Nixon's _Winner_,several monoplanes, one triplane, three dirigible balloons, and onemachine something like that of our heroes, a combination balloon andaeroplane. But it was not as large nor as powerful as the _Comet_.
The air was filled with the snapping, crackling sounds of motors beingtried, and the smell of gasolene was all over. There was a babel oftongues, French, German, Italian and Japanese, for one aviator of thelatter nation was going to try for a prize.
Here one would see an aviator and his assistants mending a torn plane,or fixing a rudder. Over at the other side of the grounds one of thebirdmen was testing the thrust of his machine's propellers by means ofa spring scale. Another was trying to discover a defect in his ignitionsystem, and others were oiling, fixing or warming up their motors.Flags and banners fluttered from tents and hangars, officials werehurrying to and fro, and some excited and anxious aviators were seekingmissing parts which had been shipped to them but which had not arrived.
"Lots doing," commented Bob, as he and his chums got ready to go up intheir machine.
"Plenty," agreed Jerry.
"It's almost like a circus," was Ned's opinion, "and we're part of theshow."
"Well, get aboard and we'll start," counseled Jerry. "We'll see if wecan get up any speed."
"That's a great machine you've got there," complimented the busysecretary as he hurried past. "Will you give some exhibitions flightsafter the regular events?"
"Perhaps," promised Jerry.
Our heroes had no reason to complain of the manner in which their craftbehaved. They went up to a good height and circled about in gracefulcurves. Then, having warmed up the motor, Jerry, who had been pickedby his chums to guide the _Comet_ in the race the next day, sent heraround the ten mile course.
Faster and faster flew the big machine until even the tall steersman,exacting as he was, could not help admitting that he was satisfied.
"She'll do," he said, as he coasted toward the earth. "We'll make theflight of our lives to-morrow, and----"
"Win!" cried Ned.
"Exactly!" exclaimed Jerry.
Swiftly the time went by, until at last came the hour for the greathundred mile race. The immense grand stand was filled with an eageranxious throng, and thousands equally eager and anxious stood aboutthe big field, well out of way of the air machines. The course of tenmiles was marked by anchored balloons, painted white, which were easilyvisible across the wide valley where the meet took place.
Noddy Nixon had his machine out at the starting line. It had beenpatched up, and, as Ned had remarked the wheels seemed too big for it.In all there were seven starters besides the _Comet_, and contestantsincluded the _Winner_, a triplane, an Antoinette, a Bleriot monoplaneand Wright, Curtiss and Farman biplanes.
It was to be a "flying" start. That is the contestants would get inmotion at the sound of a gun, would rise as best they could, andapproach an imaginary line in the air, above the white balloon markingthe beginning of the course. Then the race would be to the swiftestmachine.
There was a last inspection of the engines and air craft, a hurriedtesting of
the propellers, and then, in answer to a question from thesecretary, the contestants said that they were ready.
Bang! went the pistol. The report was followed by a series of deafeningexplosions as the motors started. Our three heroes were among the firstto get under way, and they quickly mounted to a good height. The othersfollowed. All approached the first anchored balloon in a bunch and amoment later the race was on.
"Now for a long and steady grind," said Bob, as he and Ned, oil cans inhand, went to the motor room. Jerry was in the steering tower.
"Look what's coming!" cried Bob, pausing in the act of lubricating abearing. "The Antoinette is going to pass us!"
"Let her," answered Jerry easily. "He hasn't enough gasolene to lastout, I don't believe, if she burns it up that way."
"And here comes Noddy in the _Winner_," added Ned.
"Don't worry," advised the tall lad. "The race has only begun."
Noddy and Bill, in their craft shot up on even terms with our friends,and then, as though to show what he could do, Noddy dropped back again.
The big triplane was having difficulties, and it had not covered morethan three-quarters of the way around the first circle of the coursebefore it dropped out and went back to earth, engine troubles beingresponsible. The other machines remained in the race, however, andwere about on even terms. Now one would be ahead, and then another.The monoplane took the lead after the first ten miles, and kept it fortwo rounds. Then the engine suddenly ceased working and the unluckyoperator had to volplane to earth.
Meanwhile Jerry and his chums had gone steadily on. The tall lad hadgradually increased the speed of the engine, as he found it workingwell, and now they were making about forty miles an hour. This wouldsoon be almost doubled when the race was nearer an end.
The Farman, Curtiss and Wright machines were about on a line with the_Comet_, and the _Winner_ was a little to the rear.
"I guess those big tires are too much for Noddy," remarked Ned.
"Aren't you going to speed up, Jerry?" asked Bob.
"Yes, I guess it's about time."
The race was half over when Jerry opened the gasolene throttle wider.At once the _Comet_ shot well to the fore. As if only waiting for thisthe others followed suit, all save the Antoinette, which had to dropout. This left five contestants.
"Now the real race begins," remarked Jerry grimly, as he took a firmergrasp of the steering wheel.
"And here comes Noddy," added Ned.
Indeed the race was now on in earnest. Faster and faster flew theairships, their motors crackling and spluttering in a deafeningmanner. They were not flying very high, for it was desired to give thespectators a good view of the spectacular contest.
"They're creeping up," warned Bob, as he saw the other four machinesedging closer and closer.
"Let them," said Jerry. "I've got some reserve power yet, and I thinkthey're about all in."
Ned looked at the speed gage.
"Ninety miles an hour!" he gasped. "We'll finish in a few minutes more."
"That's what I hope to do," replied the tall lad.
Hardly had he spoken than there sounded behind them an ominous crackingsound. In alarm our heroes looked to the wings of their craft, but theywere all right.
"It's the Curtiss," cried Ned. "One of the wing tips had gone to smash."
This was so. Too sudden a strain had put it out of commission. Like adisabled bird the biplane was wobbling uncertainly in the air. The nextmoment it shot toward earth, and came down with a crash.
Our heroes turned white, for well they knew the terrible result ofsuch a fall. But they could not stop. On and on they went, faster andfaster. Yet, as they circled the course on the last ten miles they sawNoddy and the Farman machine creeping up on them.
Now Noddy was almost on even terms, and so close that the evil,grinning faces of himself and Bill Berry could easily be seen.
"Beat him, Jerry! Beat him!" begged Ned.
"Yes, don't let him get ahead!" pleaded Bob.
Jerry did not answer, but his lips parted in a grim smile, and his handgrasped the steering wheel more firmly while with his foot he pressedopen still wider the accelerator throttle.
The Wright and Farman machines were now almost wing and wing withNoddy's craft, which hung just at the flank of the _Comet_. The whiteballoon, marking the finish was but three miles ahead. They would be upto it in about two minutes at the fearful speed they had now attained.
Suddenly, with a rush, the _Winner_ forged ahead of the other twocontestants and took her place on even terms with the _Comet_.
"Look out!" cried Ned. "Noddy may foul us!"
Jerry nodded. He threw over the throttle to the end notch. The _Comet_shot ahead like a fox making a last desperate spurt to get away fromthe dogs. The finish balloon was but a few hundred feet farther on.
Suddenly the motor of the _Comet_ ceased working. The silence was moreominous than a terrific explosion could have been.
"We're done for!" cried Ned.
"It's all up!" predicted Bob.
"No!" fairly shouted Jerry. "We'll volplane the rest of the way!"
He tilted the deflecting lever. Instantly the nose of the _Comet_pointed earthward. There was a shout of dismay from the spectators, anda yell of triumph from Noddy Nixon.
But he had reckoned without his host. With the terrific speed atwhich she had been running to urge her on, and aided by the force ofgravitation and her momentum, the _Comet_ shot forward. Then, whenstill a good distance from the earth Jerry sent her up on a sharp slant.
Forward she shot, like an arrow from the bow, and an instant later,with her engine "dead" she crossed the line a winner, two lengths inadvance of the Nixon machine, which was second.
"Wow! We did it!" cried Bob in delight.
"By the great horn spoon, yes!" yelled Ned. "Jerry, you're a wonder!"
Jerry said nothing. He was now guiding the _Comet_ safely to earth bythe maneuver known as "volplaning."