New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1910-08-24

i supplied with fuel and oil they would
run without single stop until worn
out the perfection of the internal
combustion engine once so untrust-
worthy
Il want to see where we are" finally
said Carson. 'srhis is like an open
ocean. | want to compare the map
with the landscape
Obedient to the tilted rudders, the
Virginia pointed her PROV downward.
Her propeller blades hurled her swift
~ forward and toward the earth. and
she plunged into the cold stream Of
the stratus cloud into mist and white
scarfs Of lacy fog and the snowy OBJ
security of an aerial blizzard Craig
head gasped at the chill and the blind.
ness.
"Ring for guide" said he "Im
lost"
He was not lost for long, for the Vir-
ginia Glove the feecy hoodWink and
emerged through its lower levels into
the clear shadows of the neither air.
They could feel the warmth radiated
from the ground, balmy with earthly
scents. Far to the northeast lay a
shining river, widening at the limit of
vision into broad estuary, and just
within sight could be discerned the
clustered spires and towers Of city.
Carson looked the landscape over and
studied his map.
"Craighead," cried Carson, "we've
made Richmond three hours quicker
than l thought it possible. A stork or
Canada goose couldn't have covered
the distance, and both sometimes go
200 miles an hour! Why
Let us exult over yon insufferable
plutes!" cried Craighead. Lets fly
rings around 'em! Let's sail circles
around the snobs!"
Craighead. scanning the southeast
with his feldglasses, had discovered
at distance of six or seven miles
huge silver aeronat steering north
ward. Theodore threw over the tiller
and made for the airship. Craighead
looked at him in wonder.
'"That ship looks" said Carson, adj
vancing the spark and crowding the
engines. like the Roc"
After a few moments on a straight
course to intersect that Of the aeronat
Carson threw the Virginia up into the
cloud. Soon they emerged on the shin
ing upper levels of the cloud, which hid
their approach to the other craft. One
below the curtain and one above it.
the airship Of the future and the air.
ship Of the past flew on converging
courses. They dropped below the
cloud into the thinner vapor. They
looked about-and saw nothing. And
yet, above the purring Of the machin-
cry, came to their ears the tremor
from powerful engines. Could the
Condor have assembled into the cloud
as they descended from it? Voices
came closer and closer.
"My God, Carsonv' shouted Craig
head. you're going foul Of her.
Look DOWN.
Just in time Carson looked. From
the depths of air below the great bub-
BILE of silver rose, swelling in her swift
approach. A collision meant ruin.
The propelling blades of the aeronef
would cut the envelope of the gas hold
er like paper, and the two ships in
huge mass Of tangled wreckage would
fall to the earth in death and ruin, or
the escaping gas from the aeronet, ig-
nited from the exhaust Of the Vir-
r~., toe sor1>+
| the fragments of both vessels far and
| wide. And Carson saw in the ruin the
| fair form of Virginia Suarez hurled to
| earth from the Roc and crushed to
| formlessness below
| Quick as lightning Carson threw on
full speed forward. The Virginia obey
ed her machinery, and as she swooped
| to the aeronat's starboard the latter
| rose swiftly. The Virginia's stern rud-
| der grazed the gas bag and was all but
| carried away; cord of the suspension
| system of the airship snapped with
| defamation that set the huge fabric in
a tremble. There rose cry from the
deck of the hitherto unconscious mon
ster as her people realized the fearful
fact that here in these dizzy heights
they were in collision with something
A man came running out Of the cabin
with a gun in his hand, as If with
some wild notion Of giving battle to
the destroyer.
The Virginia was half a mile from
the airship before the crew of the lat
ter had time to assure themselves Of
her safety. The Virginia went astern
as well as athwart the course of the
other craft, and as she sheered to star
board the aeronef and the aeronat
sped from each other at the sum of
their two speeds, perhaps four miles
a minute The people on the latter
must have thought the other gone for
ever when an astounding thing hap
pened. The aeronef wheeled about
| and pavo chaSo-nav sho oovo ohaco