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Egans Fundamentals of Respiratory Care 11th Edition Kacmarek Test Bank Instant Download

The document provides links to various test banks and solution manuals for different editions of respiratory care and related subjects. It includes multiple-choice questions from Chapter 10 of Egan's Fundamentals of Respiratory Care, focusing on the cardiovascular system and its functions. The questions cover topics such as heart anatomy, blood flow, and physiological principles related to cardiac function.

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100% found this document useful (13 votes)
84 views57 pages

Egans Fundamentals of Respiratory Care 11th Edition Kacmarek Test Bank Instant Download

The document provides links to various test banks and solution manuals for different editions of respiratory care and related subjects. It includes multiple-choice questions from Chapter 10 of Egan's Fundamentals of Respiratory Care, focusing on the cardiovascular system and its functions. The questions cover topics such as heart anatomy, blood flow, and physiological principles related to cardiac function.

Uploaded by

thatzoleson
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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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.

DIF: Application REF: p. 209 OBJ: 1

2. What is the loose membranous sac that encloses the heart?


a. Endocardium
b. Mesothelium
c. Myocardium
d. Pericardium
ANS: D
The heart resides within a loose, membranous sac called the parietal pericardium.

DIF: Recall REF: p. 210 OBJ: 1

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.

DIF: Application REF: p. 210 OBJ: 1

4. Most of the muscle mass of the heart is located in which chamber?


a. Left atrium (LA)
b. Left ventricle (LV)
c. Right atrium (RA)
d. Right ventricle (RV)
ANS: B
The two lower heart chambers, or ventricles, makeup the bulk of the heart’s muscle mass and
do most of the pumping that circulates the blood (Figure 9-2). The mass of the left ventricle is
approximately two-thirds larger than that of the right ventricle and has a spherical appearance
when viewed in anteroposterior cross section.

DIF: Recall REF: p. 210 OBJ: 2

5. The mitral (bicuspid) valve does which of the following?


a. Prevents atrial backflow during ventricular contraction.
b. Separates the right atrium and the left atrium.
c. Separates the right atrium and the right ventricle.
d. Separates the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery.
ANS: A
The valve between the left atrium and ventricle is the bicuspid, or mitral, valve. The AV
valves close during systole (contraction of the ventricles), thereby preventing backflow of
blood into the atria.

DIF: Application REF: p. 210 OBJ: 1

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.

DIF: Application REF: p. 211 OBJ: 1

7. The semilunar (pulmonary and aortic) valves do which of the following?


a. Cause almost the entire afterload for the ventricles.
b. Consist of two half-moon or crescent-shaped cusps.
c. Prevent arterial backflow during ventricular relaxation.
d. Separate the ventricles from their arterial outflow tracts.
ANS: D
A set of semilunar valves separates the ventricles from their arterial outflow tracts (Figure
9-3). Consisting of three half-moon–shaped cusps attached to the arterial wall, these valves
prevent backflow of blood into the ventricles during diastole (or when the heart’s chambers
fill with blood).

DIF: Application REF: p. 211 OBJ: 1

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.

DIF: Recall REF: p. 212 OBJ: 1

9. What are the major branches of the left coronary artery?


1. Anterior descending
2. Circumflex
3. Coronary sinus
4. Posterior descending
a. 1, 2, and 3 only
b. 2 and 4 only
c. 1 and 2 only
d. 2 and 3 only
ANS: C
An anterior descending branch courses down the anterior sulcus to the apex of the heart. A
circumflex branch moves along the coronary sulcus toward the back and around the left atrial
appendage.

DIF: Recall REF: p. 212 OBJ: 1

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.

DIF: Application REF: p. 212 OBJ: 1

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.

DIF: Application REF: p. 212 OBJ: 1

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.

DIF: Application REF: p. 212 OBJ: 1

13. What is the ability of myocardial tissue to propagate electrical impulses?


a. Automaticity
b. Conductivity
c. Contractility
d. Excitability
ANS: A
Inherent rhythmicity or automaticity is the unique ability of the cardiac muscle to initiate a
spontaneous electrical impulse.

DIF: Application REF: p. 213 OBJ: 2

14. What makes it impossible for the myocardium to go into tetany?


a. Absolute refractory period
b. Automaticity
c. Cardiac myofibrils
d. Intercalated discs
ANS: A
Unlike those of other muscle tissues, however, cardiac contractions cannot be sustained or
tetanized because myocardial tissue exhibits a prolonged period of inexcitability after
contraction. The period during which the myocardium cannot be stimulated is called the
refractory period.

DIF: Application REF: p. 213 OBJ: 2

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.

DIF: Recall REF: p. 213 OBJ: 2

16. What in essence is Frank-Starling’s law of the heart?


a. The greater the stretch, the stronger the contraction.
b. The less the afterload, the greater the ejection fraction.
c. Describes the inverse relationship between diameter and resistance to flow.
d. Curves show the hysteresis variations between systole and diastole.
ANS: A
According to Frank-Starling’s law, the more a cardiac fiber is stretched, the greater the tension
it generates when contracted.

DIF: Recall REF: p. 213 OBJ: 2

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.

DIF: Recall REF: p. 214 OBJ: 1

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.

DIF: Application REF: p. 214 OBJ: 1

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.

DIF: Application REF: p. 214 OBJ: 1

20. What circulatory system is referred to as a low-pressure, low-resistance system?


a. Left heart
b. Pulmonary vascular bed
c. Right heart
d. Systemic vascular bed
ANS: B
The right side of the heart provides the pressures needed to drive blood through the
low-resistance, low-pressure pulmonary circulation.

DIF: Application REF: p. 214 OBJ: 1

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.

DIF: Recall REF: p. 215 OBJ: 3

22. Which of the following statements is true?


a. Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) is equal to systemic resistance.
b. Pulmonary vasculature is a high-pressure, high-resistance circulation.
c. Systemic vascular resistance (SVR) is less than PVR.
d. SVR is normally approximately 10 times higher than PVR.
ANS: D DIF: Analysis REF: p. 215 OBJ: 3

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.

DIF: Analysis REF: p. 216 OBJ: 3

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.

DIF: Application REF: p. 216 OBJ: 4

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.

DIF: Application REF: p. 216 OBJ: 4

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.

DIF: Application REF: p. 216 OBJ: 6


27. The underlying goal of the body’s cardiovascular control mechanisms is to ensure that all
tissues receive which of the following?
a. Blood flow according to their mass
b. Blood flow according to their size
c. Equivalent amounts of blood flow
d. Perfusion according to their metabolic needs
ANS: D
The goal is to maintain adequate perfusion to all tissues according to their needs.

DIF: Application REF: p. 216 OBJ: 4

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.

DIF: Application REF: p. 216 OBJ: 4

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.

DIF: Application REF: p. 217 OBJ: 4

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.

DIF: Application REF: p. 217 OBJ: 4


31. Central control of vasomotor tone has its greatest impact on which of the following vessels?
1. Arterioles (resistance vessels)
2. Veins (capacitance vessels)
3. Microcirculation (exchange vessels)
a. 2 and 3 only
b. 1 and 2 only
c. 3 only
d. 1, 2, and 3
ANS: B
Central control mainly affects the high-resistance arterioles and capacitance veins.

DIF: Application REF: p. 217 OBJ: 4

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.

DIF: Application REF: p. 217 OBJ: 4

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.

DIF: Recall REF: p. 217 OBJ: 4

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.

DIF: Application REF: p. 217 OBJ: 4

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.

DIF: Application REF: p. 217 OBJ: 4

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.

DIF: Recall REF: p. 213 OBJ: 6

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.

DIF: Recall REF: p. 217 OBJ: 6

39. Which of the following factors determine cardiac stroke volume?


1. Ventricular preload
2. Ventricular afterload
3. Ventricular contractility
a. 1 and 2 only
b. 1 and 3 only
c. 2 and 3 only
d. 1, 2, and 3
ANS: D
Stroke volume is affected chiefly by intrinsic control of three factors: (1) preload, (2)
afterload, and (3) contractility.

DIF: Application REF: p. 214 OBJ: 5

40. Stroke volume can be calculated using which formula?


a. Ejection fraction  heart rate
b. End-diastolic volume − end-systolic volume
c. Ejection fraction  end-systolic volume
d. Cardiac output ÷ end-diastolic volume
ANS: B
Stroke volume = EDV − ESV.

DIF: Recall REF: p. 217 OBJ: 7

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%.

DIF: Application REF: p. 218 OBJ: 7

42. What is a normal cardiac ejection fraction?


a. 24%
b. 44%
c. 64%
d. 84%
ANS: C
Thus, on each contraction, the normal heart ejects approximately two-thirds of its stored
volume. Decreases in ejection fraction are normally associated with a weakened myocardium
and decreased contractility.

DIF: Application REF: p. 218 OBJ: 7

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.

DIF: Application REF: p. 218 OBJ: 5

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.

DIF: Application REF: p. 218 OBJ: 8

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.

DIF: Application REF: p. 220 OBJ: 5


46. Changes in the rate of cardiac contractions are affected primarily by changes in which of the
following?
a. Sympathetic or parasympathetic tone
b. Ventricular afterload
c. Ventricular contractility
d. Ventricular preload
ANS: A
Those factors affecting heart rate are mainly of central origin (i.e., neural or hormonal).

DIF: Application REF: p. 220 OBJ: 4

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.

DIF: Application REF: p. 220 OBJ: 4

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.

DIF: Application REF: p. 220 OBJ: 5

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.

DIF: Application REF: p. 222 OBJ: 4


50. Considering the negative feedback system for the control of blood pressure, when a blood
pressure rise is noted in the arterial receptors, what is the expected response?
a. Arterial vasoconstriction
b. Decreased inotropic state
c. Increased heart rate
d. Venoconstriction
ANS: B
In the case of the arterial receptors, a rise in blood pressure increases aortic and carotid
receptor stretch, and thus the discharge rate. The increased discharge rate causes an opposite
response by the medullary centers (i.e., a depressor response). Venomotor tone decreases,
blood vessels dilate, and heart rate and contractility both decrease.

DIF: Application REF: p. 222 OBJ: 5

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

DIF: Application REF: p. 222 OBJ: 4

52. Which factor stimulates the carotid and aortic chemoreceptors?


a. High carbon dioxide levels
b. High oxygen (O2) levels
c. High pH levels
d. High 2,3-DPG levels
ANS: A
They are strongly stimulated by decreased O2 tensions, although low pH or high levels of
carbon dioxide also can increase their discharge rate.

DIF: Application REF: p. 223 OBJ: 4

53. What are the major effects of peripheral chemoreceptor stimulation?


a. Decreased drive to breathe
b. Decreased production of erythropoietin
c. Vasoconstriction and increased heart rate
d. Vasodilation and increased stroke volume
ANS: C
It is important for the respiratory therapist to know that the major cardiovascular effects of
chemoreceptor stimulation are vasoconstriction and increased heart rate.
DIF: Application REF: p. 223 OBJ: 4

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.

DIF: Application REF: p. 223 OBJ: 5

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).

DIF: Application REF: p. 224 OBJ: 8

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).

DIF: Analysis REF: p. 224 OBJ: 8

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.

For one moment, a feeling of doubt swept over Bud—not fear of


an accident—it was only the first dread of all amateurs—
apprehension that his performance might not go off all right. When
he glanced out over the thousands waiting to see what was he going
to do and realized that all these people were waiting for him—it was
enough to give a youngster stage fright. While he paused, he felt
Madame Zecatacas’ ring, her good luck charm.
“What more does a fellow need?” Bud said to himself. “All ready,”
he exclaimed aloud, suddenly reassured, and springing to the center
of the aeroplane frame between the engine section and the rear
rudder struts, he directed the others in the shed to places along the
truss. Then as gently as if moving a man with a broken leg, the long,
wiry white planes of the airship were carried out into the full view of
the crowd.
The “Ohs” and “Ahs” were soon lost in the noise of the shuffling,
eager audience. Men and women crowded forward, clouds of dust
arose, and the rope barrier broke before the clamoring spectators.
Those carrying the machine could only call out threats until the
aeroplane had been deposited over the starting track and the
landing skids fitted into the greased grooves. Then Bud sprang onto
the fragile frame work. Waving his hand at the people, he shouted:
“The aeroplane is going to shoot straight along this track fast as
an engine. If any of you folks get in its way, you’ll be smashed.
There ain’t goin’ to be no start until you all get back and stay back.”
Then he sprang to the ground and for five minutes, he, the
president, superintendent and the others helping, struggled with the
slowly receding flood of people. At last the rope barrier was re-
established and Bud, hot and perspiring, felt that the trial might be
safely attempted. As a precaution, he went into the shed and put on
his coat. This one act seemed to calm the crowd.
“Goin’ to be cold up in the clouds?” inquired one facetious
onlooker.
For answer, Bud fastened the right-angled hook attached to the
end of the starting rope to the lowest cross brace of the forward
rudder frame and then, with the help of the carpenter and the
superintendent, pushed the aeroplane backward on the two tracks
until the rope was taut. The bags of sand weighing 1500 pounds
were already at the top of the derrick, and the release cord was
ready for President Elder’s manipulation.
“Don’t forget the program,” whispered that official, as he stepped
by Bud.
“I’ll go you one better,” answered the boy, with a smile. Then,
recalling what he had often seen in circuses, Bud stepped a few
paces forward and looked the car over critically. This was wholly for
effect, but with a most concerned face, the young aviator squinted
at the ship of the air from two or three angles. Then he mounted the
end of the starting rail and looked critically into the sky, even holding
up his hand as if to test the air.
“Purty resky business,” volunteered one man in the front line.
“Ain’t agoin’ to take no chances,” suggested another.
Then, Bud ignoring, but drinking in with great satisfaction these
and many other nervous comments, walked rapidly to the aeroplane,
and, with well assumed professional rapidity, felt and shook several
braces.
“I reckon he knows what he’s about, all right,” Bud heard some
one say, and the boy, losing his smile for a moment, wondered if he
did.
“Ain’t no use puttin’ it off longer,” he said to himself, and he waved
his hand toward the fair president. Mr. Elder at once ascended to the
derrick cross brace, and removing his hat with a flourish, shouted:
“Ladies and gentlemen: Mr. Wilson announces that all is ready for
his daring flight into the clouds. I must ask that each and every one
of you maintain complete silence. Any undue noise may divert the
attention of the operator and the slightest disturbance may mean his
instant death.”
The mob seemed to sink back in awe. Bud and President Elder
were perhaps the only persons present whose hearts were not,
figuratively, in their mouths. The bareheaded president raised his
hand. You might have heard a pin drop.
“When you are ready, Mr. Wilson, say ‘Go.’”
Throwing on the ignition and giving the balance wheel a turn, Bud
saw the white propellers begin to revolve. As they gathered speed
and the engine was fully in motion—the car beginning to tremble
under the impact—Bud sprang into the little seat, thrust his feet into
the hanging supports and grasped the levers.
As his lips framed themselves to give the final signal, a flying
figure shot into his sight. A man panting, and with his hat in his
hand was rushing across the cleared space closely pursued by one of
the special policemen. Hardly able to speak, his arm wildly
gesticulating, the new arrival was shouting:
“Stop, stop. I just got here. What are you doin’?”
“Get out o’ the way,” shouted Bud in reply. “Get off that track.”
“I’m Dare,” panted the man. “Who’s tryin’ to run this? Stop!”
“Get off that track,” shouted Bud again.
“You’ll break your neck,” the breathless man managed to get out.
But he saw the car trembling for the start, and he began moving
aside.
“Where’s Mr. Elder?” he cried. “Wait a minute. I’ll make the flight.
Hold on!”
“Go,” rang out from the boy in the aeroplane.
It came like a pistol shot, clear and distinct. But President Elder at
the weight rope hesitated.
“Go,” came once more.
There was a note of command in the one word that startled the
official. Whatever his judgment was at the moment, President Elder
mechanically jerked the cord. With a crashing creak of the derrick
and a thud of falling sand bags, the starting rope whipped over the
pulleys; there was a spray of melted tallow thrown fifty feet into the
air by the flying skids; five thousand spectators gasped and fell back
as if panic stricken, and the aeroplane smoked forward as if rushing
into a vacuum.
Half way along the track, the rocking aeroplane seemed to lose
headway for an instant. The pressure of the air in front and the force
of the propellers behind had equalled and overcome the force of
gravity. As the starting rope hook fell from the frame, the two great
planes, like a kite in the wind, darted into a giant leap ahead.
Hundreds of spectators, still lingering in the path of the airship,
threw themselves onto the ground just in time. The aeroplane
almost touched the earth as the leap seemed to slacken, but this
Bud had been anticipating. He did not know whether the first dart of
the car would be up or down, to the right or left. But he did know
that there was not one chance in a thousand that the flight would be
straight ahead and upward. What professional aviators had learned
by long experience, Bud knew he had to get by sheer cool headed
pluck.
He had thought over this idea so constantly that his muscles were
set and ready like springs. Not even the narrow escape of the people
in front of him rattled the boy. His body was cold from a realization
of the great risk he was taking, but this did not disconcert him.
When Bud shouted the word that was to hurl him into the air, he
dismissed every thought from his mind but this: “up, down, right,
left.”
It was all done in a second, but Bud’s thinking apparatus
responded. “Down,” his whole being cried out, and his muscles
responded like a spring. Almost before the boy could realize what he
was doing, he had thrown the front, horizontal rudder up. In another
instant he knew he was going to fly; the ground dropped beneath
him, and then a tremendous roar sounded in his ears. He gasped.
But the sound was only the wild cheers of the multitude beneath. He
was flying—the aeroplane was soaring swiftly upward. It was like
falling in a dream. With nervous dread, the boy looked about. Then
came his third shock—the fair-grounds were already behind him. He
had passed beyond the territory in which he was to operate. He was
at least three hundred feet in the air.
Suddenly all fear, apprehension and nervousness left Bud.
“It’s all over now,” he said to himself. “These things don’t fall like
rocks. If the engine stops, I’ll come down like a parachute. Here
goes to do my stunt.”
A minute later, Bud was directing the aeroplane along the back
stretch of the race track about one hundred and fifty feet above the
ground. It all seemed so easy that he wondered why he had had any
apprehension. In the midst of a chorus of yells and hurrahs from the
hundreds who were vainly trying to keep pace with the aeroplane,
Bud at last heard one positive voice:
“Get nearer the ground, you fool.”
The boy could not distinguish the man calling, but he recognized
the voice. It was that of the stranger—the expert, T. Glenn Dare. So
far, Bud had not time to think over the sudden appearance of the
long waited for man. But he smiled as the episode came back to
him.
“That must have been the Gypsy Queen’s ring,” he thought to
himself. “Any way, I got my chance. I’m satisfied.”
Then he wondered: “What will Mr. Dare do when he makes a flight
to-morrow. I wonder if he’ll stay close to the ground. He’s only
jealous,” concluded Bud.
Prompted by that foolish idea and more than eager to take full
advantage of his opportunity, the gritty boy decided that he was not
satisfied—he determined, on a wild impulse, to test the airship to its
limit.
Circling the half-mile track, he dropped down nearer the ground as
he passed the crowded grand stand, but he was too intent on his
work to give any heed to the applause that greeted him. The dusty
track was packed with spectators throwing their hats into the air and
shouting: “Let her out,” “Gimme a ride,” “Good boy, Bud,” and such
expressions rang in his ears, but they did not draw even a smile.
Again, the wonderful craft, true to her steering gear and
responding to her propellers in the almost dead calm, circled the
track. But this time, as Bud reached the lower turn, he veered off to
the left. As the inclined planes moved forward toward the center of
the track, Bud put his indiscreet resolution into effect.
By the time he reached the far end of the track he was five
hundred feet in the air. Then, instead of turning, he held his course
beyond the enclosure out over the adjoining fields and pastures.
Here, with a long sweep in the air, he turned and headed over the
grounds once more. By the time he had passed the grand-stand
again, he was at least a thousand feet in the air.
At that moment, the boy began to regret his foolhardiness. To turn
at that height, with the sinking swing that always followed such an
operation, was enough to try the nerve of the most experienced.
And, to make matters worse, Bud perversely held to his ascending
flight. When the limits of the grounds had been again passed, the
novice was, it was afterwards estimated, fourteen hundred feet in
the air.
“Now,” muttered Bud, “it’s sink or swim.”
Closing his eyes, with one hand he threw the vertical lever slowly
over for the turn, and at the same moment, he threw up the plane
tips with the warping lever. It was almost sickening, the long swoop
that followed, but, as Bud felt the warped surface checking the dip,
he breathed again. Then he opened his eyes. The airship shed fell
on his vision dead ahead and not far below.
Gritting his teeth to keep up his courage, the youngster made
ready to complete his program. As the aeroplane steadied, Bud
pushed the horizontal planes downward, and as the bird-like craft
began to descend, he turned and shut off the engine.
“They say any one can fly,” said Bud to himself, “but that it takes
judgment to make a landing. I’ll either make or break right here.”
As the swiftly whirling blades of the propellers stopped, the
aeroplane’s flight slackened. Then the ivory-winged truss began to
settle like a softly falling leaf. A mass of black heads appeared
beneath. Suddenly, they separated, and Bud saw the ground rising
as if to meet him. It was the crucial moment. The horizontal rudders
sprang up, the airship seemed to pause, then with a feeble response
to her steering gear, it rose a few feet and drifted along over the
trodden grass. Then the landing skids touched the ground—there
was a slight rebound, and Bud’s flight was at an end.
CHAPTER VIII
AMATEUR VS. PROFESSIONAL.

Every one in the yelling, pushing crowd seemed to be trying to get


hold of the aeroplane. But again the policemen forced the spectators
back and Bud saw, even before he alighted, and a good deal to his
disgust, that Mr. Dare seemed to be in charge of the situation. As
the young aviator climbed from the frame, the professional and
President Elder confronted him:
“Young man,” said the former, in a very superior tone, “you’re in
luck to be alive. Haven’t you any sense?”
Bud looked him over. The man was about thirty-five years old,
rather nattily dressed in grey clothes, a blue scarf and a chauffeur’s
cap. Two or three sharp replies occurred to Bud, but he suppressed
them, and turned to Mr. Elder. The latter walked into the tent, and
motioned to Bud to follow. Then the boy suddenly realized that the
fair president was trembling with anger.
“Bud,” he began at once, trying to be calm, “didn’t I tell you what
to do? Didn’t I give you your program? Wasn’t you to fly three times
around the track and then come down?”
“And you don’t like it because I varied it a little? Because I gave
’em a good run for their money?”
Mr. Elder shook his finger before the boy’s face.
“Mr. Dare tells me it was one chance in a thousand that you didn’t
smash the machine.”
“Didn’t worry about my breaking my neck at the same time, did
he?” asked Bud with a smile.
“We risked two thousand dollars’ worth of property in your
possession, and you took every chance you could with it—”
“Including the risk of my own life,” retorted Bud. “Look here, Mr.
Elder, I wouldn’t get excited over what T. Glenn Dare thinks. He has
good reason to find fault with me.”
The fair official made a new gesture of impatience.
“That’s neither here nor there. Going up that way was a crazy
thing to do, and you ought to be ashamed of yourself.”
Bud looked at the ground a moment. Then he said:
“That’s my usual luck, Mr. Elder. I don’t make any excuses. I see
I’m in the wrong, and I’ll take the short cut out. I haven’t hurt your
airship, and there she is. Mr. T. Glenn Dare is here ready to take
charge of it. I thank you for the chance you gave me.”
Bud started away.
“Here, Bud! Come here!”
Bud paused, but he did not return. “I guess we don’t need you
any more, but there ain’t no call to go ’way mad.”
“You said I ought to be ashamed of myself. I’m going where I can
feel ashamed without attracting attention.”
Bud smiled, and Mr. Elder looked a little embarrassed.
“I reckon if your fifty-dollar-a-day man had gone up there and
done what I did, you’d all be pattin’ him on the back. Like as not
there’d be a piece in the paper about it.”
Mr. Elder was even more embarrassed.
“When he goes up to-morrow,” went on Bud, “I reckon you’d
better insist that he skim around over the ground. I tell you what I
think, Mr. Elder,” said Bud, suddenly growing more serious, “a big
bluff goes a long ways. You wouldn’t dare to criticise your
professional aviator. Why? Because he’s an expert. And yet there
isn’t one of you knows whether he knows more about aeroplanes
than I do. He’ll get the glad hand. I get a good swift kick. Good
bye.”
Mr. Elder was at Bud’s side before he could leave the shed.
“You certainly are a touchy boy,” he said in a not unkind voice. “I
don’t see why I should apologize to you,” he added, “but I’d like to
do one thing—here’s ten dollars for helping us out.”
Bud looked up with a peculiar expression. Never before in his life
had he earned so much money in practically one day. For a moment,
he worked his foot back and forth in the dust. Then he said:
“That just proves what I said. It’s the bluff that gets the money
and the praise. I told you I’d do what I could for nothing. I’m
satisfied if you are. But, if I took any pay, why shouldn’t I have as
much as your professional?”
Mr. Elder grew red in the face.
“He is to get fifty dollars a day. What can he do that I haven’t
done? I’m much obliged to you, Mr. Elder, and I don’t want you to
put me down as a smart aleck. I either work for nothing or I’m
worth as much as the fellow who is no better.”
The disturbed official became restless.
“You mean you want fifty dollars?” he exclaimed, almost in
consternation.
“I should say not,” retorted Bud, “but,” and he laughed outright, “if
you offer me anything, don’t make it a cent less.”
Before the perplexed official could say anything, Bud was gone.
The crowd was in a thick ring around the aeroplane, and the boy
had no trouble in making his way almost unobserved out of the race-
track field. With ten cents in his pocket and tired and sleepy, he
hurried toward the entrance. No one seemed to recognize in him the
“hero of the aeroplane,” the skilled and daring aviator who had just
made a record breaking flight of 1400 feet in the air.
Money came too hard with Bud to permit him to spend his ten
cents for a ride to town in a hack. For that reason, although it was
not yet much after four o’clock, he set out on foot to cover the two-
mile walk to his home—or Attorney Cyrus Stockwell’s house. This
was not a pretentious building, but, being on the edge of town, it
had considerable ground around it, and the old two-story frame
structure had been Bud’s home for nearly ten years.
Bud’s father had at one time owned a small foundry in Scottsville;
but, his health failing, he disposed of it, moved to the country, and
tried farming on a small scale. Mrs. Wilson was a cousin of Mrs.
Stockwell’s, and when both Bud’s parents died the same winter, the
boy, at Mrs. Stockwell’s suggestion, went to live with the Stockwells.
There he had been ever since.
Reaching the house, Bud found it locked tight as wax.
Undoubtedly the lawyer and his wife had gone to the fair. The key,
usually hidden under the strip of rag carpet on the front porch, was
not there. But this did not interfere much with Bud. In the rear was
a summer kitchen with an adjoining grape arbor. On this arbor, Bud
had more than once made nocturnal ascents and descents to and
from the kitchen roof, and thus to the window of his own room.
Shinning up the arbor, he easily entered the house through the
window of his room. It was dark and close within, but the returned
wanderer was hungry and he hurried at once to the kitchen. Mrs.
Stockwell did not mind Bud “piecing,” but she was particular about
the neatness of her kitchen. So, instead of leaving traces of his
attack on the larder, Bud used no dishes. He found milk in the ice
box. A dipperful of that was consumed, and the dipper washed and
returned to its hook.
Then with a slice of cold boiled ham, the back, two wings and the
neck of some fried chicken, six doughnuts, two pieces of bread
covered with new grape jelly, and an apple, Bud went to his room.
Long before his foster parents returned from the fair, Bud, his
hunger satisfied, had undressed, washed himself and gone to bed.
About seven o’clock, Attorney Stockwell, who had been reading
the local paper on the front porch, stuck his head into the kitchen
and asked if supper would soon be ready.
“I kind o’ been waitin’ thinkin’ maybe Bud’d come home this
evening,” was Mrs. Stockwell’s answer.
“You don’t need to count on him, I reckon,” answered her
husband. “He probably won’t think much about home long as that
airship is on his mind.”
“It’s funny to me,” added Mrs. Stockwell, stirring the potatoes,
“that he wouldn’t take no pay. Goodness knows he could use it. The
boy ain’t got hardly a whole shirt to his back.”
“He’ll have to be doin’ something soon,” said the attorney. “I can’t
keep him here for nothin’ all his life. An’ he’s nearly grown now.”
His wife sighed:
“He’s been a purty good boy at that. An’ he’s been quite a help to
me. I dunno how I’d get along without him.”
“Well, you better not wait for him. He’s gettin’ altogether too
smart. If he’s too proud to take the money he earned, I ain’t.
President Elder gave it to me to hold for him, in trust, but I guess
Bud owes me a good deal more’n that.”
The Stockwells ate their supper without Bud, although there was
enough talk about him. That evening the lawyer made inquiries in
the boy’s usual haunts, but no one had seen him since the aeroplane
landed. So the evening passed until nine o’clock, at which hour
Attorney Stockwell was summoned by telephone to come at once to
Mr. Elder’s private office in the First National Bank. Here he found a
hastily called conference of fair directors. The president was there
with Judge Pennington and Mr. Waldron, a country member.
“Here it is in a nutshell,” explained President Elder. “We either call
this fellow’s bluff, or let him ‘play horse’ with us. What’ll it be?”
The situation was this: Mr. T. Glenn Dare, the aeroplane expert,
gave as a reason for his failure to appear that he had not expected
to reach Scottsville until noon of the previous day. The work of
setting up the airship, he explained, would have required but a few
hours. The reason for his non-arrival at noon of the day before was
because he had gone to Scottsville, Kentucky, a small and out-of-
the-way place requiring a drive across country, and having no
telephone or telegraph. Returning to Cincinnati, he had “wired” the
fair officials, after telegraphing east to his employers for instructions,
and had then hastened to Scottsville, making the last stage of his
journey by trolley car.
This explanation was not satisfactory to Mr. Elder. Mr. Dare
confessed he had not seen any letters to his firm from the fair
officials, and had started west with only a memorandum of his
destination. He would not concede that his firm had made a mistake,
and boldly asserted that the mix up was probably due to
carelessness on the part of the fair committee.
“All right,” Mr. Elder had said. “You say you were in Cincinnati early
to-day. Why didn’t you send us word you’d be here? No telegram
reached any of us.”
“How do I know that?” impudently asked Mr. Dare. “Looks to me
as if you people were trying to beat me out of a job.”
“And it looks to me, to speak right out,” replied Mr. Elder in
considerable heat, “as if you might have been drunk for two or three
days.”
Instead of indignantly resenting this suggestion, Mr. Dare only got
red in the face and offered to produce innumerable affidavits that he
had been wandering around the country since Monday morning
looking for Scottsville and that he never indulged in intoxicating
beverages.
This interview between Mr. Elder and Expert Dare had taken place
on the fair-grounds just after Bud disappeared and the car had been
housed for the night. It left anything but cordial relations between
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