Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-12-06
CHAPTER w.

iAiF AHuNA'F 'NA'ii NhN i'i'i'' A''A' ~
bic Eakin grew almost excited when !
told HIN my story. tossed sleepless.
~ on M cot in the hangar through the
remainder Of he night.
When the windows OF the hangar
grew gray with the approaching dawn.
! threw of the covers. and dashed cold
water over me in the chill Of the early
air to try TO stimulate the vitality
which had ebbed so low during ny
teyerisn night
Eakins vas up as opened my han
gar doors and wheeled the Blerlot out,
and the aroma Of coffee in The brisk
air told me that be was cooking our
breakfast over he alcohol stove in the
Office. The combined effects al my
cold splash and the strong liquid
which he poured for me braced ne
again, and felt equal to the wolG OF
another day.
As ! ,rundled my machine farther
out. reaay for my start home. the
pupils began arriving. and Eal;ins, in
yins.togs and goggles. came out 10
I'D me g0o1'by.
IN stay here all day" he said z
we shook hands Il. you vert Le,
all you have to do is TO phone and III
he with you in fifteen inmates. And
III bring passenger who can cat a
dozen MeXicans and then ven for his
dinner"
The sun was well over the trcet0ps
when started 1t promised another
beautiful day. with the scuddins
clouds high in the sky, limiting OF cool
and comforting bree2es.
TWO men were up as | sped above
the field "a Curtis and a Bleriot, the
latter SO high that | could not recos,
nze il.
In the enclosure in front Of the
hangers the broad, white planes Of the
machines flashed in the morning sun,
and little specks of black or white
showed where the animated crowd Of
men and women moved about among
the sheds. When cut of and coasted
down, a score or more of them ran
OUT to meet me, but Tad was first.
.-#}ll take it in?" he asked.
80 | said; there's no telling
what may happen. Wheel it around
ready to start again in case | need it,
Eyes, sir he said. and hurriediy
added cit rid Of these people quick.
I've got something important to tell
YOU,
There was no time TO say more. |
was surrounded by hearty men ana
guahm@ girls good friends all, who
were regular habtucs Of the flying
field. over the bobbing feather Of
fussy hat whose owners pretty face
smiled aliuringly up at me, saw Tad
take he Bleriot across TO the fence
and wheel it about, ready for starting.
Then slowly, but with care in every
step, | managed to lead my com
panions 10 the far end OF the row OF
hangers where Linderman kept his
machine. EXcusing myself as politely
as | could, | went inside. The shed
was vacant save for the mechanic an.
where is Mr. Linderman?" ]
asked, a cold fear gripping me,
Up"
That laconic word made me hurry
outside and search the sky for the
Blerot. II was only dim speck high
in the heavens, for Linderman VA a
born climber, and was what we call
ground shy Tad had not warned
him then, OF il he had, Linderman had
refused to lake the warning seriously
made my way as quickly AS |
could up the enclosure towcrd my own
shed at the other end
II was slow progress with the neces-
sary stops every few PAGES to respond
to friendly halls but had neared my
goal when | saw knot OF Interested
spectators gathered there, and soon
Cassertas big Farman was wheeled
out, its high upper plane cleaning
bright and clean above the machines
and the people surrounding il.
felt at once that there was some.
thing portentous in this second morn.
ing appearance OF the Mexican. and
wondered what ruse he intended to
serve by bringing his machine out to
stand idly in the enclosure as he had
done The day before.
He was late, too, for all the men had
been UP and bad put thair machint