The Flight of the Silver Ship: Around the World Aboard a Giant Dirgible

THE FLIGHT OF THE SILVER SHIP Around the World Aboard a Giant Dirigible by Hugh McAlister Author of “A Viking of the Sky,” “Flaming River,” “Steve Holworth of the Oldham Works,” “Conqueror of the Highroad,” “Stand By” THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING COMPANY AKRON, OHIO NEW YORK Made in U. S. A.
THE FLIGHT OF THE SILVER SHIP Copyright, MCMXXX by The Saalfield Publishing Company Printed in the United States of America
CONTENTS
David Ellison would never forget his last night at prep school. He had had a hard time explaining to his three best friends that his plans for college had failed. Lolling on the grass in the pleasant June dusk, enjoying the comfortable relaxation after the hectic hours of Commencement Day, he had put off the evil moment as long as he possibly could. Finally he exploded his bomb.
“Well, fellows,” he said, “I am not going to college after all.”
There was a silence. Three pairs of eyes regarded the speaker blankly.
“The heat,” said a tall boy in a hushed tone, laying a hand on David’s unruly hair.
“It’s that little girl he danced with four times yesterday at the tea,” a second remarked mournfully.
“It’s because he leads the Honor Roll. He thinks he knows it all now,” jeered the third; then, “Kidding aside, Davie,” he said, “what’s up?”
David hesitated, then took the plunge.
“Darn it!” he said. “Of course I owe it to you three fellows to give you all the dope, but I certainly hate to drag my affairs in. Still, after all our planning I can’t leave you without an explanation. You know I live in Denver with my mother and two sisters. Boys, I’ve got the finest mother, and the sweetest kid sisters. Mother works. She never gets a vacation; couldn’t even come to my Commencement. Gosh! It made me sick. And my older sister (she’s sixteen) has heard me tell all about you fellows, and she was so crazy to see you, and the school, and everything. But they couldn’t make it. Too much car fare.”
“Why, you big stiff!” cried the tall boy angrily. “Why didn’t you say something? Mother and father came right through Denver. All your folks could have come on with them in the car.”