Famous Flyers

y directing all activities, and three of them planning and preparing for their flight to the Adirondacks. Hal couldn't go. It was with real sorrow that he told t

if they went off without him, but no amount of persuasion on his part would move his mother in her determination that he should not go. She had so many argu

urately as they; nor land a mountain trout so well. Hal, who was also a novice, would have been just as inexpert as he was at all these things, and would have made him feel not quite so stupid. And then there were always things to talk about to Hal that the others wouldn't be able to understand-in fact, Hal and he spoke a language of their own

nd work, and then let them fly with him. Bob, with his natural quickness, could have flown solo alm

n his first flight. However, after repeated flights, and the feeling of power that he gained from a

ll decided that the boys ought to make their solo flights, so

"taken a look about," and landed her again. He

said

d Bob climbed into the co

ontrol of all the boundless energy stored in that motor, and could direct this huge craft in any direction he chose. He felt the blast of wind against his face. He was off the ground now, flying low, just clearing a small tool house. He pointed the nose of the Mar

expecting him back. Reluctantly he banked and turned around, and headed once more for the airport. He throttled down the motor and glided swiftly to earth. He saw the grass below turn green as he approached it; he leveled off. In his ex

les. "How was that?" he shouted to Pa

said, in disgust. "Young man, is th

looked crestfallen. "I d

Pat's voice suddenly changed. "But you handled her like a vete

cried. "Bill, what did you think?" He was perfectly willing to hear hi

urn now." He turned to Hal. "You show this young fellow how to make a th

of the Marianne with Pat or Bill in the other cockpit, ready to take the controls if anything went wrong. Now he would have confidence taking her up alone. He set his jaw grimly and

ght," said Bill. "I knew he had.

to the cloudless skies. Then suddenly the sound of the motor ceased. "Good grief," cried Pat. The others

s, would not respond. The throttle brought no answering roar of power. The Marianne had become suddenly a mad

Pat said? He couldn't remember. Then suddenly it came to him. Push forward on your stick! With an effort he made himself push forward. The Marianne gave a convulsive shudder. But the action had taken her out of her spin. With a feeling of unutterable re

thrill of joy he heard the roar of the motor as it started again, and felt the stick respond t

, watching Hal fall to what seemed certain death, while they stood helplessly be

logged!" shouted Pat. "It clea

God," s

ting Hal, Hal, Hal, over and over ag

mselves with joy, surrounded him, shaking his hand, hugging him, pat

ne like Lindbergh!" s

aid was, "I'm neve

tor that he had tested. "But there must have been a bit of dirt in the line leading from the gas

y was to take him right up again into the air, so that he would have no time to develop a phobia aga

that you're never going up again, Hal, old man," he said. "You

would have crashed the old bus and kill

over to the parking lot to get their machine. "Don't say anything to my mother, whatever you do," said Hal. "I

spoke very little on the way home. Hal was worn out emoti

ght if he had been able to take Hal into the air again, but he couldn't. Tomorrow they would be too busy with their preparations to do any flying, and the day after that, they would start for the Adirondacks, le

y were almost home, he broached his plan. "Say, Hal, how about coming over tonight-with your moth

neighbors, and one of those visits had been to return Mrs. Martin's formal call upon her new neighbor when the Greggs had moved into the house next door. But Hal

n't tell her too much, though. I

went off and left her alone. She would be better for a night of company. And perhaps-well, Hal could not dare to hope-perhaps she would approve more of his going on a trip with these men if she knew how splendid they were. But then Hal shuddered. They were

tain were alone, Bob asked why Bill had thought of

you think that I should have invited

id Bob. "You don't want her to come over just

aptain answered, "I have a motiv

ot murder,

me fraid-cat that he was before we began to educate him. Now, I'm going to tell the story of Byrd tonight. Byrd started on his adventures when he was very young. He had a brave mother, who saw that following his own inclinations was good for her son. That much is for M

said, "that's a great idea. But I think that y

u think t

worry about that," said

nd lost no time in telling her first the events of

dinner?" asked Mrs. Martin. "I'm s

her, I thought that I was taking enough liberty in

hall do some talking to Mrs. Gregg myself, I have some things to tell her about raising her own son. I suppose she wi

real hero in that plane today. Kept his head, and saved himself and

n the job, I don't see how anybody can possibly get away w

now that you ought to go up and wash? Believe me, young man, you

f the room. "You win," he called. "