a great height."

"Oh, no. I'll just calm myself with the reflection that I can't die
but once," and with this philosophical reflection Mr. Damon went back
to look at the auto, which certainly looked odd, stuck up on the
veranda.

"Well, you'd better make arrangements to go with us then," went on
Tom. "Meanwhile I'll see to getting your car down. You'll want to send
it home, I suppose?"

"No, not if you'll keep it for me. The fact is that all my folks are
away, and will be for some time. I don't have to go home to notify
them, and it's a good thing, as my wife is very nervous, and might
object, if she heard about the airship. I'll just stay here, if you've
no objection, until the Red Cloud sails, if sails is the proper term."

" 'Sails' will do very well," answered Mr. Sharp. "But, Tom, let's see
if you and I can't get that car down. Perhaps Mr. Damon would like to
go in the house and talk to your father," for Mr. Swift had left the
piazza.

The eccentric individual was glad enough not to be on hand when his
car was eased down from the veranda and disappeared into the house.
Tom and Mr. Sharp, with the aid of Garret Jackson, then released the
auto from its position. They had to take down the rest of the broken
railing, and their task was easy enough. The machine was stored in a
disused shed, and Mr. Damon had no further concern until it was time
to undertake the trip through the air.