Part 19 (1/2)

”He didn't speak to you, did he?” asked d.i.c.k, bluntly.

”I didn't give him the chance. When I saw him, I walked into the house, and he didn't dare to follow me.”

It was almost supper time, and the boys had arranged to remain at the Sanderson homestead, instead of going to the rather poor hotel at Ashton. They had a merry time with the others over the repast, and then, even though it was late, they went down to the barn to inspect the boxes and bundles comprising the _Dartaway_.

”Everything seems to be all right,” said d.i.c.k. ”We ought to be able to put her together in a day, if we all work hard enough.”

”We'll get up at six in the morning,” said Sam.

So it was arranged, and Mr. Sanderson said he would call them. But this was unnecessary, for all were up and downstairs before the appointed hour, and before breakfast was served they had the boxes and bundles open and the various portions of the biplane ready for a.s.sembling.

”Can't I help?” asked the farmer, who was much interested in what was going on.

”You can help us lift the engine,” said d.i.c.k. ”That is rather heavy.”

The boys and the farmer worked until five o'clock in the afternoon over the biplane, knocking off a half hour for dinner. For that meal they had same fried chicken and fresh vegetables, and an apple pie made by Minnie which Tom declared was ”a dream.”

”We'll come and board with you,” said d.i.c.k, to the girl. ”This sort of food goes away ahead of the college stuff; eh, boys?”

”Indeed it does!” cried Tom.

”Can't be beaten,” put in Sam. And these compliments pleased the farmer's daughter very much.

Gasoline was at hand and also oil, and soon the youths had the engine of the biplane in working order. But it was not started until the _Dartaway_ had been rolled off to the middle of a big field.

”I don't want to scare your horses and cattle,” explained d.i.c.k, to the farmer. ”When the engine starts they'll think Fourth of July has arrived.”

Soon all was in readiness, and with a final inspection of the biplane, d.i.c.k took his seat in the machine and called to his brothers to work the propellers. Bang! bang! bang! went the cylinders, and around went the big blades, faster and faster, until only a blur could be seen. Then over the field shot the _Dartaway_ and up in the air.

”Oh, my, just to look at that!” gasped Minnie. ”Just like a big bird!”

”Well, I'll be switched!” cried Mr. Sanderson. ”An airs.h.i.+p, sure as you are born! I didn't think I'd live to see one! My! my! just to see that thing a-sailin' through the air!”

d.i.c.k made the circuit of the field and then cut a figure eight. The machine seemed to work perfectly, and when he came down he was well satisfied.

”All aboard for Brill College!” he cried. ”Through pa.s.sage only! No stopovers allowed!”

”Shall we sail over now, or wait until to-morrow?” asked Sam.

”Oh, come on now!” cried Tom, impatiently. ”Lots of fellows will be on the campus at this hour, and we can do some circling around before we land.”

”I'm willing,” said d.i.c.k. ”Who is to do the steering?”

”You do it--you're the oldest,” said Sam.

”That's right,” added Tom.

”I don't want all the glory,” insisted d.i.c.k.

”You are not going to have,” went on the fun-loving Rover. ”See what I've got for Sam and myself.” And he brought out a mysterious package he had brought from home. It contained two silken American flags and two tin horns.