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Chapter 10 - The Cardiovascular System
Kacmarek et al.: Egan’s Fundamentals of Respiratory Care, 11th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The apex of the heart (tip of the left ventricle) lies just above the diaphragm at a level
corresponding to which intercostal space?
a. Fourth
b. Fifth
c. Sixth
d. Seventh
ANS: B
The apex of the heart is formed by the tip of the left ventricle and lies just above the
diaphragm at the level of the fifth intercostal space.
3. Tissue layers making up the heart wall include which of the following?
1. Endocardium
2. Epicardium
3. Myocardium
a. 1, 2, and 3
b. 2 and 3 only
c. 2 only
d. 1 and 3 only
ANS: A
The heart wall consists of three layers: (1) the outer epicardium, (2) the middle myocardium,
and (3) the inner endocardium.
6. Narrowing of the mitral valve (mitral stenosis) results in which of the following?
a. Increased afterload on left ventricle
b. Increased preload on right ventricle
c. Increased pulmonary congestion
d. Systemic hypertension
ANS: C
Stenosis is a pathologic narrowing or constriction of a valve outlet, which causes increased
pressure in the affected chamber and vessels. Both conditions affect cardiac performance. For
example, in mitral stenosis, high pressures in the left atrium back up into the pulmonary
circulation. This can cause pulmonary edema.
8. What are the first arteries to branch off the ascending aorta?
a. Brachiocephalic
b. Carotid
c. Coronary
d. Subclavian
ANS: C
Two main coronary arteries, a left and a right, arise from the root of the aorta.
10. The branches of the left coronary artery DO NOT supply which area of the heart?
a. Majority of the interventricular septum
b. Majority of the left ventricle
c. Majority of the left atrium
d. Sinus node
ANS: D
In combination, the branches of the left coronary artery normally supply most of the left
ventricle, the left atrium, and the anterior two-thirds of the interventricular septum.
11. Before draining into the right atrium, where do the large veins of the coronary circulation
gather together?
a. Coronary sinus
b. Left posterior coronary vein
c. Right coronary sulcus
d. Thebesian veins
ANS: A
These veins gather together into a large vessel called the coronary sinus, which passes left to
right across the posterior surface of the heart. The coronary sinus empties into the right
atrium.
12. Mixing of venous blood with arterial blood (a right-to-left shunt) occurs normally because of
which of the following?
1. Congenital cardiac defects
2. Bronchial venous drainage
3. Thebesian venous drainage in the heart
a. 1, 2, and 3
b. 2 and 3 only
c. 1 only
d. 2 only
ANS: B
Because the thebesian veins bypass, or shunt, around the pulmonary circulation, this
phenomenon is called an anatomical shunt. When combined with a similar bypass in the
bronchial circulation (see Chapter 7), these normal anatomical shunts account for
approximately 2% to 3% of the total cardiac output.
15. Intercalated discs in the myocardium perform a very important function. Which of the
following describes that function?
a. Absolute refractory period
b. Automaticity
c. Contractility
d. Electrical conduction
ANS: D
Cardiac fibers are separated by irregular transverse thickenings of the sarcolemma called
intercalated discs. These discs provide structural support and aid in electrical conduction
between fibers.
17. Which vessels in the body act like faucets, controlling the flow of blood into the capillary
beds?
a. Arteries
b. Arterioles
c. Veins
d. Venules
ANS: B
Just as faucets control the flow of water into a sink, the smaller arterioles control blood flow
into the capillaries. Arterioles provide this control by varying their flow resistance. For this
reason, arterioles are often referred to as resistance vessels.
18. Why are the vessels of the venous system, particularly the small venules and veins, termed
capacitance vessels?
a. They transmit and maintain the head of perfusion pressure.
b. They can alter their capacity to maintain adequate perfusion.
c. They determine the afterload on the left ventricle.
d. They maintain a constant environment for the body’s cells.
ANS: B
By quickly changing its holding capacity, the venous system can match the volume of
circulating blood to that needed to maintain adequate perfusion. Accordingly, the components
of the venous system, especially the small, expandable venules and veins, are termed
capacitance vessels.
19. Which of the following mechanisms facilitate venous return to the heart?
1. Sodium/potassium pump
2. Sympathetic venomotor tone
3. Cardiac suction
4. Skeletal muscle contraction
a. 1 and 2 only
b. 2, 3, and 4 only
c. 1, 2, 3, and 4
d. 3 and 4 only
ANS: B
The following four mechanisms combine to aid venous return to the heart: (1) sympathetic
venous tone, (2) skeletal muscle pumping, or “milking” (combined with venous one-way
valves), (3) cardiac suction, and (4) thoracic pressure differences caused by respiratory efforts.
21. Which of the following equations would you use to compute systemic vascular resistance?
a. (Mean aortic pressure right atrial pressure) ÷ CO
b. (Mean aortic pressure/right atrial pressure) CO
c. (Mean aortic pressure − right atrial pressure) ÷ CO
d. (Right atrial pressure − mean aortic pressure) ÷ CO
ANS: C
SVR = (mean aortic pressure – right atrial pressure)/CO.
23. Which of the following equations best depicts the factors determining mean arterial blood
pressure?
a. Mean arterial pressure = cardiac output ÷ vascular resistance
b. Mean arterial pressure = cardiac output vascular resistance
c. Mean arterial pressure = right atrial pressure − aortic pressure
d. Mean arterial pressure = vascular resistance ÷ cardiac output
ANS: B
Average blood pressure in the circulation is directly related to both cardiac output and flow
resistance.
Mean arterial pressure = cardiac output vascular resistance.
24. Mean arterial blood pressure can be regulated by changing which of the following?
1. Capacity of the circulatory system
2. Effective volume of circulating blood
3. Tone of the capacitance vessels (veins)
a. 1 and 2 only
b. 2 only
c. 1, 2, and 3
d. 3 only
ANS: C
All else being constant, mean arterial pressure is directly related to the volume of blood in the
vascular system and inversely related to its capacity. A change in the tone of the capacitance
vessels alters their capacity.
Mean arterial pressure = volume/capacity.
25. During exercise, cardiac output increases dramatically, but mean arterial blood pressure rises
very little. Why is this so?
a. Venules constrict, increasing vascular resistance.
b. Arterioles dilate, decreasing vascular capacity.
c. Arterioles constrict, increasing vascular resistance.
d. Muscle vessels dilate, increasing vascular capacity.
ANS: D
For example, when exercising, the circulating blood volume undergoes a relative increase, but
blood pressure remains near normal. This is because the skeletal muscle vascular beds dilate,
causing a large increase in system capacity.
26. During blood loss due to hemorrhage, perfusing pressures can be kept near normal until the
volume loss overwhelms the system. Why is this so?
a. Arteries constrict, increasing vascular resistance.
b. Arterioles dilate, decreasing vascular capacity.
c. Muscle vessels dilate, increasing vascular capacity.
d. Venules constrict, decreasing vascular capacity.
ANS: D
When blood loss occurs, as with hemorrhage, system capacity is decreased by constricting the
venous vessels. Thus, perfusing pressures can be kept near normal until the volume loss
overwhelms the system.
28. The cardiovascular system regulates perfusion mainly by altering which of the following?
a. Capacity and resistance of blood vessels
b. Rate of cardiac contractions
c. Strength of cardiac contractions
d. Volume of cardiac contractions
ANS: A
The cardiovascular system regulates blood flow mainly by altering the capacity of the
vasculature and the volume of blood it holds.
29. What is the primary function of local or intrinsic cardiovascular control mechanisms?
a. Alter local blood flow according to tissue needs.
b. Alter the rate of cardiac contractions.
c. Maintain a basal level of systemic vascular tone.
d. Control the capacity of the venous reservoir.
ANS: A
Local, or intrinsic, controls operate independently, without central nervous control. Intrinsic
control alters perfusion under normal conditions to meet metabolic needs.
30. Central, or extrinsic, control of the cardiovascular system occurs through the action of which
of the following?
1. Autonomic nervous system
2. Circulating humoral agents
3. Local metabolites
a. 1, 2, and 3
b. 2 and 3 only
c. 3 only
d. 1 and 2 only
ANS: D
Central, or extrinsic, control involves both the central nervous system and circulating humoral
agents.
32. Which of the following variations control blood flow to the brain?
a. Central neural innervation
b. Circulation of humoral agents
c. Local metabolic control mechanisms
d. Local myogenic control mechanisms
ANS: C
Metabolic control involves the relationship between vascular smooth muscle tone and the
level of local cellular metabolites. The vascular tone in the brain is the most sensitive to
changes in the local metabolite levels, particularly those of CO2 and pH.
33. Which of the following variation(s) control(s) blood flow to the heart?
1. Local metabolic control mechanisms
2. Local myogenic control mechanisms
3. Central neural innervation
a. 1, 2, and 3
b. 2 and 3 only
c. 1 only
d. 1 and 3 only
ANS: B
The vasculature of the heart shows a strong response to both myogenic and metabolic factors.
34. Which portion of the nervous system is mainly responsible for the central control of the blood
flow?
a. Higher brain centers
b. Parasympathetic nervous system
c. Somatic (voluntary) nervous system
d. Sympathetic nervous system
ANS: D
Central control of blood flow is achieved primarily by the sympathetic division of the
autonomic nervous system.
DIF: Application REF: p. 217 OBJ: 4
35. Central mechanisms cause contraction and increased resistance to blood flow mainly through
which of the following?
a. Adrenergic stimulation and the release of norepinephrine
b. Cholinergic stimulation and the release of acetylcholine
c. Cholinergic stimulation and the release of norepinephrine
d. Stimulation of specialized alpha-adrenergic receptors
ANS: A
Smooth muscle contraction and increased flow resistance are mostly caused by adrenergic
stimulation and the release of norepinephrine.
36. Smooth muscle relaxation and vessel dilation are caused mainly by which of the following?
1. Action of local metabolites
2. Cholinergic stimulation
3. Stimulation of beta-adrenergic receptors
a. 1 and 3 only
b. 2 and 3 only
c. 1 and 2 only
d. 1, 2, and 3
ANS: B
Smooth muscle relaxation and vessel dilation occur as a result of stimulation of cholinergic or
specialized beta-adrenergic receptors.
37. Which of the following formulas is used to calculate the total amount of blood pumped by the
heart per minute, or cardiac output?
a. Blood pressure SV
b. Rate SV
c. SV ÷ rate
d. SV vascular resistance
ANS: B
Cardiac output = heart rate stroke volume.
38. What is an approximate normal resting cardiac output for a healthy adult?
a. 75 ml/min
b. 500 ml/min
c. 2000 ml/min
d. 5000 ml/min
ANS: D
A normal resting cardiac output of approximately 5 L/min can be calculated by substituting a
normal heart rate (70 contractions/min) and stroke volume (75 ml, or 0.075 L, per
contraction).
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Cardiac output = 70 beats/min 0.075 L/beat = 5.25 L/min.
41. Given a stroke volume of 40 ml and an end-diastolic volume (EDV) of 70 ml, what is the
patient’s ejection fraction (EF)?
a. 0.57
b. 1.75
c. 67
d. 2800
ANS: A
Given a stroke volume of approximately 40 ml, and an EDV of 70 ml, the ejection fraction
can be calculated as follows:
EF = SV/EDV= 40 ml/70 ml = 0.57, or 57%.
43. The heart’s ability to vary stroke volume based solely on changes in end-diastolic volume is
based on what mechanism?
a. Automaticity
b. Autoregulation
c. Bohr equation
d. Frank-Starling’s law
ANS: D
The heart’s ability to change stroke volume solely according to the EDV is an intrinsic
regulatory mechanism based on the Frank-Starling’s law.
44. Which of the following are true of the force against which the left ventricle must pump?
1. Referred to as left ventricular afterload.
2. Equivalent to systemic vascular resistance.
3. Helps to determine left ventricular stroke volume.
a. 1 and 3 only
b. 1 and 2 only
c. 1, 2, and 3
d. 2 and 3 only
ANS: C
A major factor affecting stroke volume is the force against which the heart must pump. This is
called afterload. In clinical practice, left ventricular afterload equals the SVR. In other words,
the greater the resistance to blood flow, the greater is the afterload.
45. Which of the following would have a negative impact on cardiac contractility?
1. Acidosis
2. Digitalis
3. Hypoxia
4. Norepinephrine
a. 1, 2, and 3
b. 2 and 4 only
c. 4 only
d. 1 and 3 only
ANS: D
Profound hypoxia and acidosis impair myocardial metabolism and decrease cardiac
contractility.
47. Where are the central centers responsible for regulating the cardiovascular system located?
a. Aortic bodies
b. Brainstem
c. Carotid arteries
d. Cerebral hemispheres
ANS: B
Central control of cardiovascular function occurs via interaction between the brainstem and
selected peripheral receptors.
48. What is the affect on the cardiovascular medullary centers when the cerebral carbon dioxide is
low?
a. Excitatory
b. Inhibitory
c. No affect
d. Increased vascular tone
ANS: B
The cardiovascular centers are also affected by local chemical changes in the surrounding
blood and cerebrospinal fluid. For example, decreased levels of carbon dioxide tend to inhibit
the medullary centers.
49. In order to function effectively, the central cardiovascular control center must receive signals
regarding changes in blood volume or pressure. From where do these signals come?
a. Central chemoreceptors
b. Hypothalamus
c. Peripheral baroreceptors
d. Skeletal muscles
ANS: C
The greater the blood pressure, the greater is the stretch and the higher is the rate of neural
discharge from the peripheral baroreceptors to the cardiovascular centers in the medulla.
51. Vascular low-pressure baroreceptors have their greatest impact on which system?
a. Central chemoreceptors
b. Endocrine
c. Exocrine
d. Renin-angiotensin
ANS: D
The low-pressure atrial and venous baroreceptors regulate plasma volume mainly through
their effects on the following:
• Renal sympathetic nerve activity
• Release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), also called vasopressin
• Release of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF)
• Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
54. Significant loss of blood volume causes an increase in which of the following?
1. Vascular tone
2. Secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
3. Heart rate
a. 1, 2, and 3
b. 2 and 3 only
c. 1 and 3 only
d. 1 and 2 only
ANS: A
As the blood loss becomes more severe (20%), atrial receptor activity decreases further. This
increases the intensity of sympathetic discharge from the cardiovascular centers. Plasma ADH
and heart rate continue to climb, as does peripheral vasculature tone.
55. During the normal events of the cardiac cycle, which of the following statements is true?
a. Electrical depolarization follows mechanical contraction.
b. Electrical depolarization precedes mechanical contraction.
c. Heart sounds precede electrical depolarization.
d. Heart sounds precede cardiac valve opening or closing.
ANS: B
The P wave signals atrial depolarization. Within 0.1 sec, the atria contract, causing a slight
rise in both atrial and ventricular pressures (the A waves).
56. Immediately following the P wave of the electrocardiogram, an A wave appears on both the
left and right heart pressure graphs. This A wave corresponds to which of the following?
a. Atrial contraction
b. Atrioventricular valve closure
c. Semilunar valve closure
d. Ventricular contraction
ANS: A
The P wave signals atrial depolarization. Within 0.1 sec, the atria contract, causing a slight
rise in both atrial and ventricular pressures (the A waves).
57. The first heart sound is associated with what mechanical event of the cardiac cycle?
a. Atrioventricular valve closure
b. Atrioventricular valve opening
c. Semilunar valve closure
d. Semilunar valve opening
ANS: A
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“What do you want with a dollar?” asked his associate, somewhat
alarmed. Bud’s credit wasn’t the sort that would ordinarily warrant
such a loan.
“Why, for all of us, of course. We can’t work all night on empty
stomachs. And there’s five of us.”
Thereupon, Lafe rose to the occasion and handed Bud a two-
dollar bill.
“You can bring me the change,” he suggested promptly. “I’ll
charge it up to the fair officers.”
Bud was off in the dark. His hopes of securing something to eat
were based on what he had seen passing through the grounds on
his way back with the lumber. In several groups under the big trees,
he had seen camp-fires. “Concession” owners and their attendants
who remained on the grounds during the night had turned the
vicinity of the silent tents and booths into a lively camp. In one
place, the proprietor of a “red hot” stand had a bed of charcoal
glowing, and a supply of toasting sausages on the grill. These were
in apparently steady demand by watchmen, hostlers, live stock
owners and many others who had not yet retired.
On his way to this stand, Bud passed what he had not observed
before. In the rear of a dirty, small tent, an old woman, a man and a
woman of middle age were squatted about the dying embers of a
fire. Almost concealing both the tent and group was a painted
picture, worn and dingy, displayed like a side-show canvas. On this,
above the attempt to outline an Egyptian female head, were the
words: “Madame Zecatacas, Gypsy Queen. The Future Revealed.”
Bud Bargains for Coffee.
Bud could not resist the temptation to stop a moment. The man
greeted him with a stare, but the old woman held out a skinny hand.
Her brown, wrinkled face was almost repulsive. A red and yellow
handkerchief was wound around her head, and her oily, thin black
hair was twisted into tight braids behind her ears, from which hung
long, brassy-looking earrings. In spite of her age, she was neither
bent nor feeble.
As the low fire played on the gaudy colors of her thick dress, she
leaned forward, her hand still extended.
“Twelve o’clock, the good-luck hour,” she exclaimed in a broken
voice. “I see good fortune in store for the young gentleman. Let the
Gypsy Queen read your fate. Cross Zecatacas’ palm with silver. I see
good fortune for the young gentleman.”
There was something uncanny in the surroundings, and Bud was
about to beat a retreat, when the man exclaimed:
“Got a cigarette, Kid?”
In explaining that he had not, Bud’s eyes fell on the rest of the
group. A little girl lay asleep with her head in the middle-aged
woman’s lap. The man held a tin cup in his hand. On the coals of the
fire stood a coffee pot.
“Got some coffee, there?” asked Bud abruptly.
The man grunted in the negative. The old woman punched the
coals into a blaze.
“Give you fifty cents, if you’ll make me a pot full,” said Bud.
The little girl’s mother looked up with interest.
“What kind o’ money?” drawled the man.
“Part of this,” said Bud displaying Lafe’s two-dollar bill.
The man reached out his hand.
“Got the change?” Bud inquired.
The old woman reached under her dress and withdrew her hand
with a bag of silver coin.
“We’re over in the track working on the airship,” explained Bud
with no little pride. “When it’s ready bring it over. You can see the
aeroplane.”
In the matter of food, Bud secured not only “red hots,”
sandwiches and dill pickles, but a few cheese and ham sandwiches.
Altogether he expended a dollar and twenty-five cents of Lafe’s
money.
“Here you are,” he exclaimed on his return, while the new
workmen grinned and chuckled, “hot dogs and ham on the bun.
Coffee’ll be here in a few minutes.”
CHAPTER V
MADAME ZECATACAS READS THE FUTURE.
The workmen assisting Lafe and Bud did not wait for the coffee.
The last of the appetizing sandwiches had disappeared when the
male member of Madame Zecatacas’ outfit came shambling along
with the pot of neither very fragrant nor very strong coffee.
“Help yourselves, boys,” suggested Bud, offering the workmen
their only drinking vessel—a tin water cup. “We’ll try to have a better
breakfast.”
Lafe, who had worked steadily and energetically all night, was
sitting on a box taking a breathing spell. Bud, as a further reward to
the coffee bearer, was attempting to show the sour-looking stranger
some details of the aeroplane and hastening in his explanation, for
there was plenty of work to be done. About the time he had
finished, there was a sharp exclamation just outside the shed.
“Move on. What are you doing hanging around here?”
It was Pennington speaking in a brusque voice.
“Twelve o’clock, the good-luck hour,” a woman’s voice responded.
“I see good fortune in store for the young gentleman. Let the Gypsy
Queen read your fate. Cross Zecatacas’ palm with silver. I see good
fortune for the young gentleman.”
“Get out, you faker,” exclaimed Lafe.
“She’s all right,” interrupted Bud. “She’s the Gypsy Queen. She’s
Queen Zecatacas, and she made the coffee for us.”
“Well, it’s no good anyway,” retorted Lafe. “And I reckon we’ve had
enough visitors for one day.”
The old woman seemed not to hear the words. She was looking
beyond Pennington and into the brilliantly lighted airship house,
where, in the glare of the torches and lanterns, the fragile and
graceful frame of the aeroplane had at last assumed shape.
“Beat it,” added Lafe authoritatively, “and don’t bother us any
more. We’re busy.”
The aged gypsy did not take her eyes from the skeleton of the
airship. To Bud, the shadowed fortune teller seemed like a person in
a trance. Without replying to Lafe or moving, she spoke, suddenly, in
a strange tongue, to the man with her. He answered angrily in the
same language. She stretched forth a bare, lean arm and pointing
toward the aeroplane spoke again. The man replied, more at length
this time, and as if in explanation.
“She wants to know what it’s all about,” volunteered one of the
carpenters who was nearest the apparently transfixed woman.
The man laughed with a sort of sneer.
“Don’t you fool yourself. She reads. She knows. But she never
seen one.”
“Well, we ain’t on exhibition now,” spoke up Lafe. “You and the old
lady have your pay. We’ll excuse you.”
“What you so sore about, Lafe?” interrupted Bud. “I don’t see that
they’re doin’ any harm. I think we ought to thank ’em for makin’ us
a pot of coffee at midnight.”
Before Pennington could make reply to this, Zecatacas, the Queen
of the Gypsies, took a step forward. Something seemed to make her
look bigger—perhaps it was the light, which now fell full on her face.
Bud stepped back. It was a face full of creepy power. Chanting, the
woman spread her long fingers before her and mumbled:
“The old Gypsy Queen has read the Book of Fate many years.
Across the seas, she foretold how man would soar like a bird. What
she foretold has come to pass. Not for gold nor silver did the Book of
the Future open to her. She dreamed the dream of what would come
to pass. To-morrow Zecatacas will look upon what she foretold
across the seas.”
“Sure,” interrupted Bud, anxious to change the subject, “come to
me, and I’ll get you a front seat—free. When did you predict that
there’d be airships?”
“Rubbish,” exclaimed Lafe, glaring at the old fortune teller. “If you
feel better now, you’d better duck and get to bed.”
To neither of these speeches did the gypsy seem to give the
slightest heed.
“What is written in the Book of the Future will be. I see men flying
over forest and mountain. Faster than birds they mount into the
clouds. The clouds are dark, the sky is black. I see—the Gypsy
Queen sees death.”
“Get out, you old hag,” roared Lafe, angered at last beyond
control, “or I’ll fire you out.”
With a cat-like spring, the gypsy leaped forward, caught Lafe’s
extended arm in a vice-like grip, and before the young man knew
what she was doing, or could prevent it, she had opened his
clenched fist and shot a lightning-like glance at his exposed palm. As
the half frightened and trembling Lafe jerked his hand from her
grasp, the fortune teller hissed at him:
“You spit upon the Gypsy Queen. She puts upon you no curse. But
the Line of Fate tells much. Beware! Zecatacas tells nothing. For him
who spits upon her, she sees all evil and woe. There is more, the sky
is black, but old Zecatacas tells nothing. Beware!”
With the last word, the old woman disappeared into the darkness.
Before Lafe could make reply to her, the man, picking up his coffee
pot, exclaimed:
“I was just goin’ to hand you a swipe for your freshness, young
fellow, but I guess the old woman has given you enough to think
about.”
“What do you mean?” blurted out Lafe, making a show of
resentment and swaggering up to the man. The latter reached out a
brawny hand and pushed Pennington aside.
“I mean what I said. I ain’t no Romney. But, I don’t cross the old
lady. She ain’t handin’ out no hoodoo curses; but—well, the long and
short of it is, she’s got her fingers crossed on you. Them gypsies has
sure got somethin’ up their sleeves we ain’t an’, whatever it is, I
wouldn’t give you a nickel for your luck while she’s sore on you.”
Then he too was gone. The same talkative carpenter, for all had
suspended work while the incident was taking place, felt called upon
to make a remark.
“I knowed a Gypsy ’at put a charm on a feller I worked with onct
an’ he fell off’n a roof an’ purt nigh kilt hisself.”
“And I heard of a colored voodoo doctor,” broke in Bud, “who put
a curse on a coon, and the doctor himself was arrested for chicken
stealin’. So you see there ain’t much to be scared about.” He
attempted to liven things with a peal of laughter. But no one joined
him. “And as for this old Zecatacas, or Gypsy Queen as she calls
herself,” he went on, “she makes me tired. Give ’em a quarter and
you’re goin’ to have good luck and money; turn ’em down, as Lafe
kind o’ had to do, an’ they make an awful bluff about doin’ you dirt
some way.”
“She don’t scare me a bit,” remarked Pennington, who was yet
white and trembling.
“You’d be a fool if she did,” added Bud consolingly. “Any way, it’s
all over now. Let’s fall to and get busy.”
Pennington had already worked nine hours, and it was not strange
that he was tired and nervous. He was restless and irritable, and
every now and then took occasion to say how little he cared for old
Zecatacas’ words. Bud did what he could to belittle the gypsy’s
disturbing speech. At three o’clock, Lafe lay down and slept until six,
when he, Bud and the three men closed the shed and, on another
advance from Lafe, managed to secure an early breakfast at a
boarding tent erected for the stock attendants. Newly fortified with
food and a wash up, they were back to work at seven o’clock.
Pennington had grown a little more affable, and as the end of
their labors now came in sight, he was even at times in a good
humor. But Bud saw that either old Zecatacas’ speech or something
else disturbed Lafe. At eight o’clock, when President Elder arrived, it
was seen that, whether expert Dare arrived or not, the aeroplane
would be ready by about eleven o’clock.
“How did you young fellows settle it?” were Mr. Elder’s first words,
after a gratified look into the airship shed.
“Mr. Pennington has it,” answered Bud promptly.
“No hard feelings?” added the official with a smile.
“Smooth as pie,” explained Bud. “Only, if the chance ever comes,
I’d like a try at it—when I ain’t in any one’s way.”
“Still think you can sail her?” said Mr. Elder, turning to Pennington.
“Yes,” replied the latter, “it looks easy enough. Of course, there is
a certain risk, but I’ll chance that. Only,” and he spoke as if the
thought had just come to him, “I wish I’d had more rest last night.
I’m pretty tired, and you know a fellow ought to be at his best.”
“Yes,” explained Bud, “he worked a good deal longer than the rest
of us.” He didn’t say anything, however, about Pennington’s three
hours’ sleep. “Of course, he feels it more.”
“Perhaps you’d better wait until to-morrow, Lafe, when you’ve had
a good night’s sleep. How would it do for Bud to make the first trial?
He seems fresh enough.”
“Oh, I’m all right—I guess,” answered Pennington. “You can count
on me. By the way, you didn’t hear from Mr. Dare, did you?”
“Not a peep.”
“I’ll be ready.”
Before nine o’clock, two more directors appeared, almost together.
They were Lafe’s father, Judge E. Pennington (in reality only a
Justice of the Peace), and Bud’s foster father, Attorney Cyrus
Stockwell.
“Bud,” began Attorney Stockwell angrily, “why didn’t you send us
word you were going to stay out all night?”
“To tell you the truth,” answered Bud without any great alarm, “I
didn’t know it when I left home, and after I got out here, I didn’t
have a chance.”
“They tell me you offered to go up in this thing,” continued the
attorney, jerking his thumb toward the now practically completed air
craft.
“Offered!” exclaimed Bud. “I begged to. But I got left. Lafe beat
me to it.”
“Lafe?” exclaimed Judge Pennington. “Lafe going up in the
airship?”
“I agreed to,” exclaimed young Pennington. “If the operator don’t
come, they’ve got to have some one. And I know more about it than
any one else around here.”
“And you’ve promised to commit suicide in that death trap?”
added Judge Pennington hastily.
“I—I didn’t see what else I could do,” faltered Lafe.
“Well, I can,” broke in his father, “and mighty quick. You can stay
out of it.”
“Judge,” interrupted Attorney Stockwell, “I don’t see any cause to
worry. Bud tells me he is anxious to take Lafe’s place.”
“Bud Wilson?” sneered the Judge. “What call has he to try such a
thing?”
“Oh, none, except he’s been up in one once. I never heard that
Lafe had,” retorted the piqued lawyer. Attorney Stockwell had no
particular concern for Bud and certainly no affection for him. Later,
Judge Pennington said he reckoned the lawyer rather wanted Bud to
turn aviator and break his neck in the bargain. But, this morning, the
lawyer resented Lafe’s superiority.
“I guess if Lafe had tried to fly, he wouldn’t have tumbled out on
his head,” snorted the Judge. “I don’t approve of sending boys up
just because we made this fool arrangement. But, when it comes
down to who’s entitled to do the thing and who’s got the real grit, I
guess it’ll be my own boy.”
Bud was watching Lafe. He expected to see his rival swell up with
pride and elation. On the contrary, he was sure that he detected
signs of disappointment in young Pennington.
“He don’t seem to be hankerin’ after the job,” was the attorney’s
next shot.
“Lafe,” exclaimed his father belligerently, “did Mr. Elder select you
for this work?”
“He did.”
“Then you do the job, or I’ll know why.”
“I thought it was all settled,” interposed Bud in a calm voice. “I
ain’t makin’ any fuss about it. I ain’t claimin’ the right.”
“Then you won’t be disappointed,” snapped the judge, and he
bustled angrily away.
“Bud?” asked the Attorney in a low voice, as Lafe walked away,
“how much are you to get for workin’ all night?”
“Not a cent. It’s like goin’ to school to me.”
“You’re crazy. Workin’ all night for nothin’? Why that’s expert
service, an’ it ought to be double pay, too.”
“I did it for fun,” explained Bud, with a laugh.
“Fun?” snapped the lawyer. “You wouldn’t think it so funny if you
had to pay for your board and clothes.”
“I never asked you to do either,” replied Bud. “I don’t know why
you do. You just took me in. If you’re tired of me, I’ll stay away. But
I haven’t any money to pay you.”
“Stay away,” sneered the lawyer. “Where’d you stay? You haven’t a
home.”
“Wherever there’s aeroplanes,” answered Bud calmly, “that’s my
job now.”
“Still,” said the Attorney in a milder tone, “I don’t want to be hard
on you. You had better come back to us until you are able to care
for yourself.”
“Thank you,” answered Bud. “I hope that won’t be long.”
When his foster father had followed after Judge Pennington, Bud
turned to Lafe. The latter was lying on a long packing case.
“Sleepy?” asked Bud.
“Pretty tired,” replied Lafe. “Do you think you can finish up now? I
believe I ought to go home and go to bed for an hour or so before
afternoon. I’ve got to be on edge, you know.”
“Sure,” said Bud sympathetically. “You do that. I’ll put the last
touches on everything. If you get back here by two o’clock, that’s
time enough?”
Just before twelve o’clock, President Elder drove up to the airship
shed.
“Well,” he announced, “he didn’t come. Our expert failed to arrive.
It’s up to Lafe. Where is he?”
“He’ll be here,” answered Bud. “We’re all ready, and he’s gone
home for a little rest.”
About one-thirty o’clock, President Elder visited the aeroplane
headquarters again. Bud was greasing the starting grooves.
“Bud,” began the fair official with a faint smile, “I knew it all the
time. It’s you or no exhibition. Lafe Pennington is in bed, sick. He’s
got a nervous chill.”
CHAPTER VI
THE GYPSY QUEEN’S TALISMAN.
Thursday and Friday were usually the big days at the fair in point
of attendance; but, owing no doubt to the novel exhibition so widely
advertised to begin this day, long before noon it was apparent that
the directors had made a wise investment when they spent eighteen
hundred dollars for an aeroplane. The pike leading to the fair-ground
lay beneath a cloud of dust, the hitch racks were full, and, on the
basis of number of visitors, the exhibition was really in full blast a
day ahead of time.
The last touches were hastily put on the exhibits in the
Agricultural, Floral and Machinery Halls; the ice cream, candy,
peanut and red lemonade stands made a brave show of their wares;
the “nigger baby” and cane rack barkers began appealing to young
and old alike to try their luck, and by noon, thousands of pushing,
tired and perspiring people attested that the fair was already in full
swing.
The “three minute” trot and “free for all” running races were
carded for the afternoon, beginning at two o’clock; and the big
event, the startling, stupendous and spectacular flight of the
“Twentieth Century Marvel,” the aeroplane, was to occur about three
o’clock between heats of the races.
The curious spectators did not bother themselves about the
airship until after the dinner hour. But, just about the time President
Elder announced to Bud that Lafe would not be able to operate the
airship, the crowd began to drift toward the field within the race
track. By two o’clock, the pressure became so great that Bud, the
talkative carpenter who was yet with him, and a special policeman
detailed by Superintendent Perry, were forced to drop the canvas
side over the front of the house, and devote their time to protecting
the starting track or rails.
When the carpenter learned that Lafe was sick and would be
unable to direct the flight, he did not hesitate to express his opinion.
“Humph!” he exclaimed. “I guess he’s sick, all right. And he began
gettin’ sick right after that old Gypsy spoke her piece. I don’t blame
him, neither.”
“What’d you mean?” asked Bud, apparently surprised. “You don’t
mean the old woman scared him?”
“She nigh scart me. You bet she did. Mr. Pennington ain’t sick o’
overwork. The Gypsy Queen jes’ nacherly scart him into a chill.”
“I don’t believe it,” said Bud. “He may be scared—I rather thought
myself he was weakenin’ this morning, but he’d be a fool to let a
woman put over such a bluff.”
The carpenter shook his head.
“I don’t know no law agin’ his bein’ a fool,” he added.
Bud made no answer. He knew well enough that the carpenter’s
theory was right. Whether Lafe had the physical courage to trust
himself in the aeroplane Bud had no way of knowing. But his own
eyes told him that Pennington had not the moral courage to throw
off the prophecy of Zecatacas, the Gypsy Queen. In his heart, he felt
sorry for Lafe, for he himself had a most distinct and disagreeable
recollection of the Gypsy’s depressing prediction.
The first thump of horses’ feet on the race track when the “three
minute” trotters came out to warm up and the “ding,” “ding,” “ding,”
of the warning bell in the judges’ stand took away a part of the
crowd, but enough remained to put the starting track in constant
danger. Finally, Bud managed to secure a long rope, and the
carpenter staked off a pen in front of the shed. This protected the
apparatus, but it made Bud conspicuous, and the crowd began to
hail comment on him.
“Hey, there, Bud Wilson,” shouted a young man. “They’re a givin’
it out over yender that you’re goin’ up in the airship.”
Bud smiled and nodded his head. The crowd pushed forward.
“I reckon yer likely to come down right smart faster nor ye go up,”
exclaimed a rural humorist.
“Not none o’ thet in mine,” added another voice. “Not fur love nur
money.”
“What won’t they be a doin’ nex?” exclaimed a fourth.
Bud smiled and said nothing. But, just at this time, seeing a
familiar figure in the crowd, he sprang forward, lifted the rope and
beckoned Madame Zecatacas, the Gypsy Queen, to come inside. She
did so, and, while a hubbub of protest and inquiry arose from the
crowd, Bud led the picturesquely bedecked fortune teller to the
airship shed, lifted the canvas flap and signed to her to enter. The
old woman had now none of the creepy, malignant look she
exhibited the night before. She was rather fawning than otherwise.
“Look a’ here, Madame Zecatacas,” Bud began at once. “I reckon
you don’t know what a commotion you made last night. They say
you scared my friend sick.”
“The Gypsy Queen sees all things—knows all,” began the old
woman in her usual singsong. “He who spits on—”
“Oh, see here,” interrupted Bud. “He didn’t spit on you, and didn’t
mean anything agin’ you. You’re a little touchy ain’t you?”
Madame Zecatacas gave him something like the look she gave
Lafe the night before. Then her face relaxed into a smile. She
ignored the question.
“The young gentleman has a good hand. Money, and the Gypsy
Queen will bring him good fortune.”
“I ain’t got but ten cents,” laughed Bud.
The Gypsy scowled.
“Here,” he exclaimed hastily. “Don’t begin that with me. Don’t put
any high sign on me. I ain’t got time to have a chill.”
“The Gypsy Queen can do much.”
“I can see that, good enough,” answered Bud promptly, thinking of
Lafe, “but I haven’t the price. If I had, I’d try you a whirl. I never
had my fortune told. See here, Mrs. Zecatacas, what do I get for
lettin’ you in here free gratis for nothin’? Right next the airship, too?
I’d think you’d tell me a few good things just to show there’s no hard
feelin’.”
The Gypsy tried to scowl again, but Bud’s exuberance was too
much for her. She reached forward and took his hand.
“Look out now,” urged Bud. “Nothin’ bum. Don’t give me the
willies. I got to do my flyin’ stunt in a few minutes.”
“Long life,” began the Gypsy.
“Bully for you,” exclaimed Bud. “Now, just tell me I’ll get an
education and travel, and have money enough to buy an aeroplane,
and we’ll call it square.”
“And much trouble—”
“Shut her off,” interrupted the boy, with assumed concern. “Come
to think of it, I don’t need my fortune read. I’m goin’ to make my
own.”
“A strange man will bring you much trouble—”
“Beware of a dark stranger,” laughed Bud. “That’s all right, Mrs.
Zecatacas, I’ll watch for him. Now, I’ll show you around a bit and
then I guess you’d better be going.”
For a few minutes, Bud explained, as well as he could, the general
features of the aeroplane. In the midst of this, he heard animated
talk just outside the canvas door, and, as it was quickly thrown
aside, the Scottsville Chief of Police, Matthew Marsh, or Mat Marsh,
as he was universally known, stepped inside the tent.
“Hello, Bud,” he began. “Heard you was in charge here. An’ got
company, too. Don’t want to make no disturbance, but I’m lookin’ fur
your friend.” He looked at Madame Zecatacas, and motioned her
toward him. “I want you,” he added officially. “I got a warrant for
you.”
The old woman gazed at him in astonishment, and then
appealingly at Bud.
“Got a warrant for her!” exclaimed the boy. “What for?”
“Assault and battery,” answered Chief Marsh laconically.
“Who’s she assaulted?”
“Judge Pennington issued it on complaint o’ his boy.”
“Lafe?”
“Yep. Lafe says the old lady jumped on him las’ night and
assaulted him. Guess it’s right. He’s home in bed.”
“That’s a lie,” retorted Bud angrily, “and I don’t believe Lafe ever
said so. I saw it all. It’s a lie.”
“You seen it?” commented the Chief.
“All of it—right here. But there wasn’t any fight. Nothin’ like it.”
“I reckon the old lady and her son-in-law better subpoena you fur
a witness.”
“Has the man been arrested, too?”
The Chief nodded his head.
“When’s the trial?” asked Bud indignantly.
This time, the Chief shook his head the other way.
“You let me know,” exclaimed Bud. “I’m beginnin’ to get onto this
deal. I want to be there and testify. These people didn’t do a thing
out of the way. There’s four of us’ll swear to it. This is Judge
Pennington’s doings.”
The Chief wiped his perspiring bald head.
“How do ye figure that?” he said at last.
Bud was silent a few moments, and in each one of these he
became more angry. Finally, he burst out in his indignation.
“I ain’t blamin’ Lafe,” he said, “but he talked pretty raw to Mrs.
Zecatacas last night, and she handed it right back. An’ gypsy-like she
talked about hard luck and trouble and things like that ’til Lafe kind
o’ got cold feet on reskin’ anything to-day. That’s what I think
anyway. Now he’s home in bed, sick or scared or both. An’ when he
told his father about what took place out here, the Judge didn’t do a
thing but fake up this complaint just to get even. He’s sore because
I’ve got the chance an’ Lafe ain’t. I didn’t expect to do no knockin’,
but that’s just the way it’ll all figure out. You can take it right straight
from me.”
The Chief looked knowingly at Bud, and then closed one eye.
“Bein’ an officer o’ the law, I ain’t takin’ sides an’ I don’t have no
opinion. But I heerd what you said. Come on, old lady.”
Madame Zecatacas straightened up and glared at the policeman.
Bud stepped over and patted her on the shoulder.
“You can’t get out of it—now—Mrs. Zecatacas. Go along quietly,
and if you want me for a witness or any of the men who were here
last night, you tell Mr. Marsh. I’ll come and testify for you.”
The gypsy caught his hands in hers, pressed them, and then with
a swift movement laid two brown fingers on Bud’s forehead. With
another swift motion, she pointed to the aeroplane and exclaimed:
“The Gypsy Queen gives you good luck.”
This happened in an instant, but before Bud could recover from
his surprise, the withered dame reached forth her hand once more,
and forced into Bud’s palm a small object. Then, without further
word, she followed the Chief of Police.
In his fingers, Bud found a heavy ring—dull of color, and yet,
apparently not brass. Sunk in the top of it, was a worn, opaque,
green stone in the shape of a bug. Bud did not know it, but the
stone was a sacred Egyptian scarab.
“Good luck from the Gypsy Queen,” repeated Bud, a little upset.
“Well, anyway, good or bad, here goes,” and he slipped the worn
ring upon his third finger.
Outside the shed, Bud found the waiting crowd almost too much
for the men on guard, with a new stream thronging toward the
aviation grounds from the race-track. At the head of this, marched
President Elder, Superintendent Perry and the other officials. Bud
knew his part of the day’s program was due. He glanced skyward.
There was almost no breeze.
“Everything ready?” asked Mr. Elder, in a quick businesslike tone.
“It’s just been announced from the judges’ stand.”
“Ought to hear ’em yell when I told ’em how Mr. Bud Wilson, a
product of our own city, would operate the machine,” added the
Superintendent.
Bud was too busy to parry personal compliments. While
Superintendent Perry and the President lifted the canvas front and
drove the crowd back, Bud tested the ignition battery, re-oiled the
shaft bearings, looked a last time for possible leaks in the gasoline
reservoir and then for an instant only, set the engine in motion. As it
stopped and the vibrating frame settled back on its trusses, he knew
of nothing more to be done.
Outside he could hear the President and the Superintendent
shouting commands and exhortations.
“Git back there, now, all o’ you, ’at don’t want to git hurt. Mr.
Wilson’s got to have room. Anybody ’at gits hit’ll be killed. Git back
there, everybody. You can all see. ’Taint no horse race. Stand back!
The aeroplane will circle around the track. You kin all see. Give us
room here,” the superintendent kept crying.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” added President Elder, mounting the
lower brace of the weight derrick. “It is only proper for me to
announce once more that we are only able to make this exhibition
to-day through the kindness of a Scottsville boy, Mr. Bud Wilson. The
expert who was to operate our aeroplane disappointed us. But,
rather than disappoint you, Mr. Wilson has volunteered to risk his life
in exhibiting this wonderful invention. I hope you will help him by
giving us ample room, and that you will refrain from rushing
forward, if there happens to be an accident. We must have no
interference, and, on behalf of Mr. Wilson, I ask absolute silence
while he is adjusting the aeroplane for its hazardous plunge into
space.”
A murmur ran through the crowd which, in a moment, died away
into an awed silence. The speech and the silence that fell
immediately upon the thousands present attracted Bud’s attention.
He turned from his lingering look at the craft that meant so much to
him just in time to find President Elder motioning to him. He stepped
to the official’s side. As he did so, Mr. Elder sprang from the derrick
and laid his hand on Bud’s shoulder.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” shouted the president in a voice that
could be heard at the far edge of the expectant jam, “I take great
pleasure in presenting to you Mr. Bud Wilson, our aviator. Good luck
and success to you, Bud,” he added, melodramatically taking the
boy’s hand.
A woman in the crowd sobbed and Bud, red with embarrassment,
hastened into the shed.
“What’d you do that for?” exclaimed Bud, as the President joined
him.
“Do what?” laughed Mr. Elder.
“Why shake hands that way and say that. I ain’t no circus.”
“Excuse me,” answered the fair official. “That’s just what you are.
This is a show. And we want to make it worth our eighteen hundred
dollars.”
“Oh, I see.”
“And that isn’t all. The real performance is yet to come. You don’t
suppose you’re just going to shoot away in silence. Did you ever see
’em ‘loop the loop’ in a circus? Well, we’ve got that beat a mile.
Listen. I’ll release the weight that starts you. When you are ready to
get into the car, I’ll get up and tell ’em that any sound may distract
you and cause a fatal accident. When they are absolutely still, you’ll
take your seat and I’ll take my place at the weight cord. Then I’ll say
in a solemn voice: ‘When you are ready, Mr. Wilson, say Go.’ You’ll
look about, settle yourself, wait a few moments and then, sharp and
quick, shout ‘Go!’ Then if you do go, the crowd’ll feel it has its
twenty-five cents’ worth.”
Bud laughed.
“Funny you didn’t bring a pair of tights,” he commented.
CHAPTER VII
A FOOLHARDY TRICK IN AN AEROPLANE.
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