Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1915-05-27

stunts. He initiated me into ito pos
sibilities. In q week I was a ifalr
birdman.
I doubted our ability to compete
successfully with experts from all
over the world, and, indeed, IN the
end all we won was fifth place and a
twenty per. cent interest In $1o,ooo
minor prize pool. However, at dusk
one evening that happened which LED
tn nv abandonment Of the perilous
field Of aviation.
Revell had arranged for night
flight, he in the big machine and my
self with the little monoplane.
had got into the pilot seat and started
up, expecting him from the hangar
at once. Just as the tail Of my ma
chine left the ground man, strang'
er dashed up to the spot. He was
in a frantic state of excitement.
He ended a sharp run in daring
spring that carried him clear over the
wings and into the pit just back OF
the pilot post. The delicate mocha
nism Of the monoplane shivered at the
unusual shock. was about to shut
off the control when he leaned to-
wards me, pressed the cold muzzle
of a revolver to my temple and Missed
out:
keep on going or Twill kill you!"
was conscious of shouts below,
blurred sense of Revell rushing out
of the hangar, of uniformed men
rushing to the spot. Then, fairly
alarmed, l let the monoplane shoot up
into space.
Then there happened a series OF
starts and thrills A steady level at
tanned. my grim passenger never low
cred his weapon. He ordered me to
proceed due north. Less than five
miles accomplished, he let out wild
veil of dismay and rage
Suddenly great white glare shot
up. down, narrowed in steady circle
to a direct focus, and as In spot
light picture we were nailed by the
powerful headlight of the big biplane,
the loyal intelligent Revell at the
pilot post in hot pursuit.
Drop! drop" painted my passenger.
They're after me. Drop, tell you"
I'm that forest of trees?" I objected,
glancing below ''Impossible!
Get lower, or | will shoot" yelled
nv companion, and l volplaned till
we were skidding twenty feet above
the thick grove of trees.
My blood ran cold as the man
jumped saw his outspFead form
strike the top of a towering titan OF
the forest He crashed through the
branches. The headlight followed his
downward plunge. Then 1t focused
the monoplane. At clearing de-
scended. The big biplane landed be-
side me.
"Hurt?" inquired Reveli, spring
ing out of his machine. No? Good!
Hurry, we must find that man-it's
important
We came across him under the tree,
crushed, mutilated, stone dead AS
we carried him to the biplane a long
metal box fell out of his inner coat
pocket. We placed him In the big
machine and were soon back at the
exhibition grounds. Half a dozen
policemen and an excited bustling old
man who looked like millionaire ex-
citedly awaited us.
He was what he suggested, 1t
seemed, and the dead fugitive had
robbed him OF papers Of inestimable
value to him. AS | handed him the
metal box he cried out with vivid de-
light. He glanced eagerly over the
papers it contained
"All safe!" he gloated 1T means
half my fortune. Young man, have
you fountain penn
almost fell over as he wrote out a
check for twenty-five thousand dol
lars! Faithful old Revell was induced
to accept a quarter Of 1t.
Then, goodby to aviation and
home Fay, the mortgage paid, and a
wedding and happiness complete.