Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-07-25

Craighead. scanning the southeast
with his fleldGlasses, had discovered
at distancesof six or seven miles a
huge silver aeronat steering north
ward. Theodore threw over the tiller
and made for the airship. Craighead
looked at him in wonder.
'1That ship looks" said Carson. ad
vancing the spark and crowding the
engines. like the Roc"
After q few moments on q 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 1t,
the airshtp OF the future and the air.
ship of the past flew on converging
courses. They dropped below tho
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 q
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 Viz.
ginia's engines, might explode, hurting
the fragments Of both vessels far and
wide. And Carson saw In the ruin the
fair form of Virginia Suarez hurled tc
earth from the Roc and crushed tc
formlessness below.
Quick as lightning Carson threw Oh
full speed forward. The Virginia obey
ed her machinery, and as she swooped
to the aeronats 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 a
detonation 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 gun in his hand, as IL with
some wild notion Of giving battle to
the destroyer.
The Virginia was half 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
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 gave chase-nay, she gave chase
SO swiftly that she swelled visibly in
her swift overhauling Of the aeronat.
In time so short that 1t seemed like
a breath the Virginia, on level now
with the others deck, came In close
astern, then sheered On and deliberate
" ran around the big Condor as she
stood on her course at full speed. As
she crossed the bows cry went out
from the great ships engine room-a
cry of mingled fear and establishment
Why did this new craft so course about
them? 1t was some new engine of
aviation-that was sure. And with
such incredible speed and such I'M
heard Of mobility!
So as Carson came up on his second
circumnavigation Of the Condor there
stood at the rail Of the big airship
two or three men with guns, who made
threatening gestures and shouted to
him to stand off or they would shoot
what ship is that?" cried Carson.
"None Of your business! You stand
of or we'n shootp'
"Shoct If you darep' cried Carson.
"Don't you see that can go above