Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 19??-1918, 1918-08-07
CHINESE HAD BRIGHT IDEA
Attempted Reproduction Of Machine,
However, Didn't Win Any
Approval From Aviator


After completing his service In the
United States army the enlisted In
l907). Raoul ,Iufberry roamed over
Japan and China and India. During
his travels he ran across an airplane
exhibition flight In Saigon. Marc Pour.
pc. the famous French trick flyer. was
transforming In the far East. He gave
Lufbery employment as mechanic, and
thus occupied In new and fascinating
pursuit. Lufbery continued his air.
plane education for three years under
Pourpe. The experience lasted until
the beginning OF the great war,
While performing In China the two
aviators were struck with the unusual
warmth OF their welcome and the re-
peated invitations they received TO
prolong their stay, They were over.
whelmed with gifts as well as with
praise. and received many marks OF
royal favor.
Their hosts examined the strange
bird again and again, received the un.
Ineligible explanations OF Its mirac-
ulous flight. made measurements and
drawings, and eScitedly discussed the
problem with one another, while the
two foreigners examined the new gifts
that had been lavished upon them.
Finally the secret OF this prolonged
hospitality was out. Pourpe and Luf-
berry were conducted In state to u
nelghboring city. where the Chinese
experts had all this time been con-
structing their first airplane. II was
far more marvellous to the airmen than
was the original.
Upon approaching the inclosure. the
aviators saw the admiring populace
roll back. disclosing to view a gorge
Gus spectacle-the first Chinese air
plane. Stepping nearer to study the
magnificent creation they heard the
subdued roar Of the engine above the
riotous clamor Of foreign tongues.
Politely examining the framework
and multicolored fabric. they found
the spars, struts and flooring to be
constructed Of light bamboo. The
beautiful fabric was Of the llghtest
tissue paper.
The roar Of the engine continued.
Placing an ear against the engine
hood. Pourpe tried to fathom this mys-
terry. The propeller stood motionless.
a splendid production Of highly pol
ished teak wood and mahogany. but
undeniably Indifferent to the healthy
manifestations Of engine power with
In. Several coolies anchored the i'm
patient machine to earth by holding
desperately to Its framework with all
their might.
The crowd was pressed back and
the airman cordially invited to climb
into the seat. He demurred politely.
and inquired. with gestures, as to the
character Of the motor and the fuel.
And could he examine the spark
plugs?
The engine hood was reluctantly re-
moved. A huge swarm Of angry bees
was buzzing madly within the glass
cage. rivaling In the intensity Of their
fury the noise Of Pourpe's own power
full motor. The Chinese had estimated
conscientiously the amount Of weight
that could be carried by one bee and
after carefully weighing the new air
plane their mathematical experts had
inclosed enough bees to carry the
whole weight. adding few extra bees
to give small margin Of extra horse
power for emergencies.
But Pourpe was dissatisfied with the
soundness Of these arithmetical caclu-
lations and declined to fly, much to
the disappointment Of his new friends.
Laurence La Tourette briggs in Cen
tury.