Andy, accompanied by Bert and Serge, made a final inspection of the Goliath. Everything was in readiness for the early morning flight. They returned to their rooms at the hotel but sleep was a long time in coming for Andy. He had worked so many long months over the plans and on the actual construction of the Goliath that their realization had seemed, until now, an almost unattainable dream. But now the Goliath was ready to claim its place as the king of all the man-made crafts which cruised the heavens for only that afternoon the great dirigible had tested its wings and found them strong and reliable. On the morrow it would sail away into the eastern sky on its first long trip.
Andy finally fell asleep but in his ears was the steady beat of the Goliath’s engines, the sweetest music of all to him.
Bert had left a call at the hotel desk for 1:45 o’clock and he was at his receiving set promptly at two for the special meteorological report from Washington.
The report promised fair weather with a light west wind and an unlimited ceiling.
Bert copied the report in triplicate, placed one copy in his own files for a record and hastened back to the hotel with the other two. He awakened Andy and read the report to the assistant pilot.
“That means we sail at three,” said Andy, as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes and hurriedly got into his clothes.
“I’ll go wake Dad and Captain Harkins,” he added.
“Here’s a copy of the report for them,” said Bert as he handed Andy the third tissue he had made.
Andy awakened his father and the commander of the Goliath and they agreed that weather conditions were ideal for the flight to Washington.
By two-thirty the hangar was ablaze with light as the members of the crew, their eyes still heavy with sleep, hurried to their posts. Motors were given a final going over, rigging was thoroughly checked, the water ballasts tanks and the water condenser at the top of the big bag were inspected. Finally the Goliath was pronounced ready to go.