Hardly had he spoken than there sounded behind them an ominous cracking sound. In alarm our heroes looked to the wings of their craft, but they were 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 a disabled bird the biplane was wobbling uncertainly in the air. The next moment it shot toward earth, and came down with a crash.
Our heroes turned white, for well they knew the terrible result of such a fall. But they could not stop. On and on they went, faster and faster. Yet, as they circled the course on the last ten miles they saw Noddy 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 hand grasped the steering wheel more firmly while with his foot he pressed open still wider the accelerator throttle.
The Wright and Farman machines were now almost wing and wing with Noddy’s craft, which hung just at the flank of the Comet. The white balloon, marking the finish was but three miles ahead. They would be up to it in about two minutes at the fearful speed they had now attained.
Suddenly, with a rush, the Winner forged ahead of the other two contestants and took her place on even terms with the Comet.