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It was a desperate situation. I was determined to make a trip even if I lost the outfit in doing it.
    Next morning we were at the grounds at 5:00 o'clock and, just before daylight, the machine was taken out of the tent and the motor warmed up. It was a cold and damp morning with a suspicion of frost in the air and as we started the motor we felt chilled.
    I knew it was now or never. I waited until seven, until the sun could shine on the balloon and warm it up, and then I made my trip downtown. I rounded the Capitol dome and started back when for some unknown reason the motor stopped. I made four landings on my way back to the fair in just three and one half miles. The last of which found me over the Pennsylvania Railroad and a fast passenger train was speading East. I figred that surely this train would hit the airship frame and break it, knock me off and perhaps kill me. But a violent uptrend due to the rapid motion of the train kept me two or three feet above it until it passed from me, and then I settled down on the tracks. We promptly moved to a vacant spot. From this point [[strikethrough]] There [[/strikethrough]] we started the motor again. I was only about a quarter of a mile from the fair grounds and made in very nicely.
    A reception committee awaited me. The entire board of directors was out on the grounds waiting for me. Mr. Miller wrung my hand as he said, "Mr. Knabenshu, you've done fine. We'll forgive the first two days."
    I said, "Wait until I make up the flights for you."
    I made four flights on that day, and the next day, and succeeding days I made two flights each. They were so well pleased at the end of the engagement they paid me the full