The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-04-07

mere are pockets IN the air, L
explained, and occasionally the drop
is considerable. 1t is safer, that is ali,
and permits freer use of the hands.
You will not mind at all after we once
get away from the earth. This is the
greatest sport in the world; you are
going to like it."
Whatever she answered was lost In
the sudden whirl of the propeller, and
then l heard De Vigne's voice:
Ready, Monsieur"
Strengthened up, my feet firm on
the levers, hands gripping the wheel,
every nerve tense, my eyes on the
dim glow of light ahead. This was
the real test, the next few moments, and
[ must be alert, prepared to meet any
emergency. After we once took the
air, and had safely cleared that row
of houses, l could afford to think of
other things but not now.
eyes, all right-let her goi'
felt the swift leap of the delicate
framework under US; the throb of the
motor, silent, but no less powerful,
thrilling through the taut wires;
the jar of the rubber-tired wheels as
they gipped the earth. I heard
De Vigne shouting orders to his COM
panion, the increasing hum of the
more rapidly revolving propeller blade;
the slight creaking of the wings.
L
ground, careening slightly. but as
instantly Strengthening as I touched
the controlling lever, and headed away
into the gray east. l was cool enough
now, while feeling all the exhilaratiOn
of the moment. The dark earth
shadow slipped away beneath, seemed
rather to fall from US; there was no
sensation of flight, except for the rush
of cold air against our faces, or q swift
= IL /
swerved slightly as 1t mounted steadily
higher. One of the men below cried
out something, but the words were
indistinguishable; looking down I could
perceive nothing except black shadows,
distorted and grotesQue. The whirl
of the propeller became less noticeable,
and the motor worked almost noise
lessly, emitting just enough sound to
assure me 1t was in powerful action.
We cleared the row of houses by hun
dred feet, ever mounting higher into
the gloomy, sky. In front of US
now, a grim, magnificent picture in
the wan light of the early dawn, spread
the waters of the lake. / could perceive
bursts of white where waves dashed
against the bre: alter, and beyond
gray simmer, disappearing into mist.
Below, on land, it was yet night, and
the myriads of street lamps bIazed COR
the vast extent of the city. Far
away to the left the lighthouse on a
distant pier shot forth rays of alter
mating white and red into the envelop-
ing haze. 1t was a fairy picture of
neither night nor day, full of spectral
shadows, and the CLEAN of strange lights,
blending into the CHASTITY gray of the
dawning, with the somber waters
dashing against the shore, and the
earth a shapeless gloom, yet allow
with color. Just beneath US an engine
passed, a burst of red flame showing
through the open furnace door, paint
ing wierd picture on the black screen
for an instant, and as quickly blotted
Noises unacceptable, rose to us out
of the dark void, blending into dull
roar, which grew fainter as we swept
onward, out over the silent water.
From the height we had now attained
We could perceive a faint tinge of
red far to the eastward, with purple
streamers piercing the Iow-hanging
mist which still obscured the horizon.
Beneath this upper light the fog fIoated.
q dun-eOlored cloud, its higher undu-
lating waves violet tinted, and assum-
ing fanciful shapes. With careful pres
sure I brought the monoplane to a