Viewing page 37 of 102

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

  Baldwin secured a four inch board and lashed it to the tow lower members of the frame and told me to get up in my place and to be sure to stand on that board.  The mechanic was ready to start the motor, but Baldwin started the motor himself.  It started with a roar and vibrated so badly that it was difficult to remain standing on the plant or board.  I shouted for him to stop the motor for it was apperant that it was out of tune or poorly timed.  He did not hear me, and without warning he called to everybody to let go.  And, we were off.
  My troubles began, first I managed to clear the thirty foot fence by throwing overboard a sack of sand, then the hip h headed straight for the dome of the Brazilian Building.  By handling the rudder ropes I found to my surprise that the ship responded.  I worried about the motor, it was putt-putting away, and belching out red flames from both exhaust pipes together with black smoke, which indicated a very poor mixture.  From my position on the frame, I could do nothing about it.  to move forward toward the motor would cause the box or nose to point downward which in turn would bring the ship down, I was too low or near the ground to risk it.  I continued to worry. 
  Having missed the Brazilian Building by inches, the ship now headed for the center of the big Ferris wheel. I was in real trouble this time.  What could I do if the ship plunged into the spokes of this giant wheel. Here again I found to my delight that it was possible to steer around it. finding I could steer and control the ship, I headed for the big Transportation Building, and after passing over it, turned toward the Aeronautic Concourse. Everything seemed to be working all right, the red flames and black smoke had disappeared. I could see the faces of the people waiting to see the finish of this flight.