The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-05-23
(Continued.)
CHAPTER XIII.
Devilfish VS.. Bird.

OSVHtSI Vo. 0U0s
When the aeronef was run out
on her ways by the long shed in
which she had been built, there was
flutter of expectancy among
those so deeply concerned in her
flight. Captain Harrod forgot his
periodical visits to the hillock to
scan the offing for the erect peri
scope or the fishlike back of the
mysterious lurking submarine.
which, like a shark awaiting the
dropping overheard of man or 9TH
err morsel, had haunted these wa
ters since the day Wilmer had been
driven from the camp as spy.
The captain was moving kit, of
oil cans. wrenches, spanners, eX,
ira parts, odd cells of battery,
plugs. screws and the like, which
in his excitement he kept carry
ing about long after the machine
was ready for her flight.
Mrs. Stott excitedly took repeat
ed snapshots at the Psyche. and
from time to time noted down her
thoughts on this crisis in history
with a stylographic pen, with which
she made careful carbon copies, the
usefulness of which was impaired
by their being on the backs of the
originals, on account of Mts. Stott's
having agitatedly reversed her
carbon sheets.
Virginia was close second to
the captain in the matter of aiding
the inventor, whose conscience was
therefore more tender for the sin
of having assumed on very small
justification the relation of uncle
to his Phyche, thrown under his
protection by perverse fate. She
called him uncle" with fire.
quency that assumed an insistence
on the avuncular relationship; in
memory maybe of the tumultuous
disturbance of atmosphere and
heart beats at the indoor trial Of
the aeronef. She moved levers,
tried sparks, and made herself USE
full about the machine in so many
ways that Theodore promoted her
to the position of first mate on the
spot.
"The first mate always sails with
the ship, uncle" she suggested.
Il thought you had had enough
of aeronefs.' said Theodore, 'in
the wreck OF Winners helicopter.
Please throw in the gyroscope gear.
Thank you. Don't they spin beau.
tifully"
But that was only what Captain
Harrod calls chickananny thing.
This is az stable as theRoc her.
self"
would you really go ON this
trial trip" he asked.
TRY me-" said she; II want to-"
You'd be worth a dozen of the
captain" replied Carson. He
hasn't the faintest idea of the prin-
ciples Of the Virginia. while you
could fly her In week."
II could now" asserted Virginia.
THE Virginia is a simple, manage.
able little thing. like her name
sake"
"If she shows all her namesake' $
sweet traits" began Theodore.
Then I'm to go?"
Captain" cried Theodore. "here
Is a girl that wants to ship as first
mate"
Yes. subj"
well" went on Theodore, "she
will not be allowed to displace you.
Make sail. Captain; we're going."
"Did--did--did you allow TO- me
70 me to go?" asked the captain.
"Why, certainly" replied Carson.
Didn't you expect to go?"
mo, subj" replied the captain.
"Ah neve' allowed to go on any o.
these aiah boats. or co'se, ef you.
al insists. Ahll go oboa'd ontil All
fall out. which'll be about TO faith.
ON high. All gifts dizzy-like, an
can't hep 1t. Howseve' hyah goes! "
Now you must let me go!" Vir
ginia pleaded, with her hand on his
arm. IF the captain gets dizzy"
bin, stagyerin', drunk dizzy,
All do" interposed Captain Har-
rod.
ut would be dangerous and fool