Part 25 (1/2)
To take that trip, with such a wind blowing, was not a wise move, and all three of the Rovers knew it. But they wanted so much to see the girls, and show them the biplane, that they were willing to take the risk.
On and on sailed the _Dartaway_, now in the teeth of the breeze and then with the wind on the quarter. All of the youths clung fast constantly, for their was great danger of being pitched into s.p.a.ce. They had straps for fastening themselves, but hated to use these, fearing that they might get in some position where a quick jump might mean safety. If they were strapped in, and the biplane fell, they might be crushed to death under the heavy engine.
Most of the trip was made in the face of the wind, which, every instant, seemed to grow stronger. The _Dartaway_ acted like a thing of life, swooping and careening from one side to the other. d.i.c.k had to manipulate the wheel and the levers constantly, to keep anything like an even ”keel.”
”Can you keep to the course?” questioned Tom, after about half the distance to the seminary had been covered.
”I don't know--it depends on the wind,” d.i.c.k replied. ”I may go around to the westward--it seems to be better sailing that way.”
In the end they had to make a wide detour, and d.i.c.k was wondering how he was going to turn in the direction of Hope Seminary, when the wind suddenly died down. This was his chance, and on the instant he headed directly for the seminary.
”There it is!” cried Sam, presently. ”I see the buildings!”
”There is the campus!” added Tom, a minute later. ”And there are the girls, waving banners at us!”
”I see them!” answered d.i.c.k, and then he shut off the engine, and silently and with the grace of a big, white swan, the _Dartaway_ volplaned to the earth.
CHAPTER XVI
d.i.c.k AND DORA
”Oh, d.i.c.k, how lovely!”
”Weren't you afraid, Sam?”
”What a big flying machine, Tom!”
Such were the exclamations from Dora, Grace and Nellie, as all rushed forward to where the boys were alighting from the _Dartaway_. Soon they were shaking hands all around, and soon other girl students were coming up, to learn what the arrival of the flying machine meant.
”Well, we certainly had a great trip,” said d.i.c.k.
”The wind was pretty strong,” put in Sam.
”Strongest wind you ever saw!” declared Tom, stoutly. ”Turned us over about 'steen times and rolled us into a regular ball.”
”Oh, Tom, what an idea!” exclaimed Nellie, and began to laugh. ”But weren't you afraid?” she went on anxiously.
”What, me? Never! But Sam was so afraid he shook off his shoes, and one of 'em dropped right on a cow, and----”
”Tom Rover!” burst out Grace. ”What a story-teller you are!”
”Well, Grace, if you don't believe it, go and ask that cow,” went on the fun-loving Rover, soberly. ”It's lucky Sam has elastics on the shoes--to pull 'em back by. If he hadn't had----” Tom did not finish but shook his head mournfully.
”I am so glad you got here safely, d.i.c.k,” said Dora, in a low voice.
”But oh, do you think it is quite safe?” she went on, anxiously. ”I--I don't want you to get hurt!”
”I guess it is safe enough, Dora,” he replied, not wis.h.i.+ng to alarm her.