The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-05-13
tContinued.)

The captain did not allow him
self the luxury OF a smile. lie
consented to stay to luncheon. dur
ing which meal he described the
aeronef with an approximation to
enthusiasm.
"If she flics," said he, AN Mis-
tab Theodo' allows she sho' Will.
she'll mex the long-toms an
skaoucks think they's Il new breed
O. hawks loose
Uncle Theodore" suggested Nir-
Gilia to Mrs. S,ott, after learning
about long-toms and skaoucks, has
invited us to visit him. And, TO
you know, think We'll go back
with the captain, if you can over
come Your aversion to the water
"WIn the bay be rough?" asked
Mrs. Stott, rs if confident that the
captain served out the weather.
Dead ca m, ma am said the
captain. Flat as a flodnder'
And think" went on Virginia.
"how interesting it will be to see
the first great aeronef launched!
Please, please, let's CO.
when do you start?" asked Mrs.
Stott, wavering.
"Ea'ly this evenin'.' replied the
captain.
wen go." said Mrs, Stott.
The raptain, considering all that
part of the day between the mid
day meal and nightfall as even
ing" and after dark as night, had
to make this distinltion clear to the
ladies', who, when they understood
it, hurriedly packed their dunnage,
and embarked. They were Il gay
party; Virginia was full of laugh
| ter; her color rose and her eyes
dilated as they took the stream
early enough. to the captains re
lief, to let them through the New
| Canal, from Strong's Bayou to the
! Lagoon by daylight; for there were
ghosts in this region by night,
DO you see any signs of a
Storm" asked Mrs. Stott, noting
his upward chances.
mo, ma'am," he returned. "Ah
| was just tryin' to make out if All d
eve seen that craft befo' aloft
than"
The craft alluded to was a great
silver Condor, cleaning in the sun,
her rudder n dark line across her
bow, and along her side the stripe
of Il Maroon aeroplane.
Virginia studied her absorbedly
with her field glasses. She was
standing over from Mobile, and
was now above Montrose, sailing
low as if for short voyage.
Il think" said Virginia, that
she's the Roc. I'm sure of it,
Yes, ma'am," replied Harrod f;
and not another word was said, un
til the captain saw the air-ship
librating. sinking. balancing like a
hawk, far to the eastward.
she's lynn to-" said the captain
"Thah goes huh lift down"
"Why," asked Virginia wonder
inglf. what can she want over
there in the woods?"
shes jst about ove' TO home
ma am" said Harrod.
| Virginia grew pale, and asking
Tor the glass, scanned the great
aerostat with the lowered lift, like
a neXus, to the ground.
Cant you so little faster?'
said she, laying down the binocu
lars.
| "Aftah we clear Weeks Bay
said the captain, "well go raght
brisk, Miss. But we CANT go much
taste hyah, Aim afraid"
His tones We're low. sympathetic
respertful, injurious, perfectly
courteous. She felt Gained. Why
be agitated? She could not be fore
ed to return with the Shaynes; and
what chance was there, for that
matter, for them to find this speck
of a launch, and they SO high above
it and so far away?
Once clear of the channel they
stood for the south shore, the en-
gines firing In continuous explo
sion, as the captain threw on the
last speed. The bay was great