Part 13 (2/2)
”If you feel equal to it,” answered the captain.
”Sure thing.”
Once more the biplane was gotten ready, and with another rush and a whizz the _Dartaway_ shot into the air. For a moment, as the machine wobbled from side to side, it looked as if Tom would have an accident, and his brothers gave a s.h.i.+ver. But then he managed to steady the machine and over the cornfield he flew, and around in a big circle twice. Then he made a still larger turn, well up in the air, and in a few seconds more was sailing over the barn and then over the Rover home!
”Gracious, that's Tom!” murmured Sam. ”Always bound to go the limit!”
The noise of the engine caused those in the house to rush out and look at the machine.
”Who is running it, that aviator?” queried Mrs. Rover.
”No, it's Tom,” replied her husband.
”Tom!” burst out Anderson Rover. ”Impossible! Why he doesn't know enough about it yet.”
”He'll be killed!” moaned Mrs. Rover. ”Oh, what a daring boy!” And she began to wring her hands in despair.
Over the house flew the biplane, and then made another turn and came back. Then came sudden silence.
”Something is wrong!” cried Anderson Rover. ”The engine has stopped working!”
”He's coming down like a bird!” exclaimed Aleck Pop. ”Now jess to look at dat!”
As he spoke the biplane glided slowly to the ground, landing near the barn. All rushed to the spot. There sat Tom grinning broadly.
”How was that?” he asked coolly. ”Wasn't that a dandy initial flight?”
”Tom! Tom!” cried his aunt. ”You'll kill me with your daring! Are you hurt? Did something break?”
”No, I'm not hurt, aunty, and nothing broke,” he answered. ”Oh, it was immense! I could have stayed up an hour if I had wanted to.”
”Very good--very good indeed!” said Captain Colby. ”You took a risk in flying over the house, but as nothing went wrong we won't say anything about that.”
”Now it's my turn!” cried Sam.
”Has d.i.c.k been up?” queried his father.
”Yes, and he made a splendid flight too,” answered Tom. ”Oh, dad, your sons are born aviators.”
”Perhaps. But, Sam, do be careful! Don't try to fly so high at first,”
pleaded Anderson Rover.
”I'll be careful, dad,” answered his youngest offspring.
All remained in the field to watch the flight of the youngest Rover. Sam was a little pale, but just as determined as his brothers had been to succeed. He looked over the biplane carefully, then took his seat, and told them to start the propellers.
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