The conditions of the race, Andy told his friends, was that the first dirigible to circle the steeple and return to the grounds was to win a valuable prize. In order to distinguish the airships they had large numerals, from one to five, painted on strips of muslin and fastened to them.
“They’re off!” cried Bob as the balloons, lining up, started away toward the goal. They were so far distant now that the explosions of the motors could only be faintly heard.
“I’m for number three!” cried Mollie Horton. “That looks as if it would win. Don’t you think so, Jerry?”
“I don’t like to differ from a young lady, and a pretty one at that,” replied Jerry, bowing to Mollie, “but I think number five will win.”
This was the balloon with planes attached to it, which had last made its appearance. It was not so large, nor seemingly as powerful as any of the others, but Jerry had reasons of his own for choosing that one, in what was only a sort of friendly guessing contest among the young folks.
“If we were in the auto now, we could follow them,” said Ned. “See, some of the people are doing that.”
“We’re just as well off here,” declared Jerry. “We can see the finish. Besides, they’ll come back quicker than they are going on this trip, and they may beat the autos.”
“What makes you think they’ll return more quickly?” asked Ned.
“Because they’ll come back with the wind. You see they beat out against the breeze, and then, if an accident happens, and their motor stops, they can drift back with the wind to their sheds or tents. A fellow who is helping one of the owners of a dirigible told me that. It’s one of the tricks of contests like this. You see, the wind will blow them back, and if they don’t have an accident, with the power of their motors to help the breeze, they’re bound to come back in a hurry.”
“Smart lad!” exclaimed Bob. “You are getting ready for our motor ship, I see.”