“He took to it like a duck to water,” observed Tom Bacon, speaking of Ned. “I wonder if he’ll win the race.”
“He’s won ’em before,” put in Jerry, “but he’s not running the machine now.”
The race was going on in the air, but as previous books concerning the motor boys have so fully gone into the subject of aeronautics, the details of the race will not be set down here, for it was an ordinary one as compared to some in which Ned, Bob and Jerry had taken part. Suffice it to say, that after circling around several times over the fair grounds, keeping outside the pylons, as the upright posts marking the course were called, the two air craft made ready for the finish.
So far, it had been a pretty even contest, but when the time came for the last round and the descent, Mr. Perdy yelled to Ned:
“I’m going to try to beat him. I think I can strike a better current of air down below, where there is less resistance.”
“Go ahead,” Ned assented.
Instantly the aeroplane shot downward, and then, checking it, the pilot sent it forward. A glance upward showed that he had gained a little on his rivals.
“Take the wheel and bring her down,” suggested Mr. Perdy; and Ned did, the guiding apparatus being made so that it could be shifted from one side to the other.
Swift as a bird Ned sent the craft downward. He was approaching the finish line.