"Gosh all hemlock! An airship, eh? I thought it was a company o' soldiers firin' their rifles! Wot be you a'doin' here in my pasture lot?"
"Is this your lot?"
"It sure is, an' has been for forty years."
"We came here with Mr. Marley, of Rayville, to get the machine. It got away from us and landed in the river. We dragged it over here," explained Dick. "We'll make it right with you for using the lot," he added, with a smile.
"Oh, so thet's it, eh? Well, you're welcome to use the lot," said John Snubble. "I'm glad o' the chanct to see an airship. Boys, this is one of them airships you read about in the papers," he went on to his two sons. "Ain't no danger o' an explosion, is there?" he asked anxiously, as he slowly drew closer.
"I don't think so," answered Dick. And then he explained to Mr. Snubble how the two horses had become frightened and run away, and how Mr. Marley and Tom had gone after the runaway steeds.
"It's too bad it's broke," said one of the farmer's sons. "I'd like to see her go up."
"So would I," added the other.
"Perhaps you'll see her go up when she's mended," said Sam.
"If this is your farm, could you rent me a shed in which to store this biplane until she is mended?" said Dick, to the farmer.