Both replied in the affirmative.
"Then go!" and with the words the judge fired a pistol into the air.
Instantly the whirr of the motors was heard, and with a rush along the ground the contesting biplanes started upon the long race!
CHAPTER XXI
THE RACE WITH THE STORM
It seemed to most of the thousands of lookers-on as though both biplanes left the green at the same instant. And as they speedily soared upward it was impossible for any one among those left behind to positively decide whether either one of the rivals had the slightest lead.
Of course a hurricane of shouts had broken loose the very second there came a forward movement. It was as though the repressed enthusiasm of the vast throng had refused longer to remain bottled up, and just had to find a vent.
Still that volume of sound would prove but a shadow to the wild outburst by which the ultimate victor might expect to be greeted when he came in later on.
Frank saw that his rival was right there alongside when they had sped swiftly over what might be five miles; and it took very few minutes to accomplish this part of the race, too.
"He's holding us, Frank!" shouted Andy, nervously.