The herald., 1921-05-12
The Flyers
Trophy
By HAROLD SINCLAIR
t0 1871. Western Newspaper Union }


ed trophy" said Elwyn Moore, air
man.
"She's got to. I promised her.
wrote her all about II, and you. So
brace up, old man. Take your pick.
The long stick-south. The short
stick-east. Choose"
1t was an impressive scene and an
unusual one. Upon a broad plateau
In the heart Of the North Carolina |
mountains rested the monoplane Vic |
tor. The two expert birdmen had |
Just carried off the honors in an aero |
meet at Savannah. They designed |
trip to the home Of Nelson Barton, |
In Delaware, where his father and his |
sister awaited them. Now, in fight |
over a desolate, well nigh uninhabited
country, the "juice" had given out and |
the Victor was stalled" Gasoline |
must be found or the machine aban- !
dened.
Barton hid all but the ends Of two |
twigs In his hand. Moore drew the |
long one-south. Barton started east |
with the laughing boast that he would /
be back first with the needful fuel for !
the engine.
1t was nightfall when Barton toiled |
slowly down a winding valley-lost.
''This is getting pretty desperate"
decided Barton. "Ah, at last-a light"
Suddenly loud shouts and then shots
In the distance attracted his attention. |
Following the same great lurid glow |
sprang up across the eastern horizon.
"a f1reW exclaimed Barton, and he
started toward 1t. A terrific hubbub |
Increased as he advanced.
! A woman, clasping little babe close |
I'd her breast, and holding her by the |
hand dragged little girl sobbing pitt
fully with fright and WEAKNESS.
"My good woman" spoke Barton,
"what is the trOubleT i
"Oh, sir, we are lost! The Dollivars
are making a raid. They have burned |
our houses"
Barton got the three refugees into |
q copse and saw party Of a dozen
rough men armed and carrying torch |
,es pass them by. Then there were |
more shots and shouts and a new |
lurid glare crossed the sky.
at is our home" mourned the wom-
an. "Oh, sir, help US.
my husband and his band are in a
refuge camp twenty miles south OF
here" explained the woman.
The woman, carrying the babe and |
leading the way, Barton with the little |
girl in his arms, they started on
forlorn tramp.
"We are almost there" announced |
the woman nearly four hours later as
they started down a tortuous gap In |
the mountains. "There Is the glow OF |
their camp fire. Oh, am so glad, so
thankful to you" And then with the
words she sank to the grass and
swooned dead away.
Twenty steps brought the aviator In
full view of the outlaw camp. A vivid
picture halted, appalled, him. A group |
of men were gathered near camp
fire, and over branch Of great tree
close at hand ran a rope. One end
encircled the neck of a man with
arms and feet tightly bound.
"Why! whyl Why!" shouted out
Nelson Barton In three tones Of rising
horror, ut is my friend, my partner,
Elwyn Moore! Stop! Stop? he
screamed. rushing forward and wav-
ing his arms wildly.
Half dozen rifles covered him.
"What's thisY fiercely challenged
the outlaw chief.
/ "This is my friend" proceeded Bar
Tton, pointing to Moore.
: "Oh, maybe you're another detec-
tive, eh7" demanded the outlaw.
Detective2 Why, we are airmen."
Suddenly the outlaw turned. The
little girl had followed Barton.
"Mary, little Nary gasped the
outlaw. "How did you come hereT
II brought her." said Barton quick.
ly; your wife and baby. too. They
are back near the spring. The Dolli-
vars have raided your homes, and"
A cry Of rage went up from the
rough crowd. The strangers were for
q moment forgotten.
The outlaw chieftain came back to
the camp fire with tears In his eyes,
and gentle as lamb. Instantly
Moore was released. He overwhelmed
Barton with thanks. He learned the
real mission Of the aviators in that
forbidden district.
"Four of you," he shouted to his
men, 'get to Shelbyville as fast as you
can, and bring back fifty gallons of
, gasoline"
ASK him to give me my trophy"
whispered Moore to his friend.
"Your trophyr'
Eyes, it's been a target fastened to
that tree yonder."
The trophy. plus one deep bullet
dent, was returned to its owner with
apologies.
The airship made q brilliant nom
stop fight, almost beating the record.
A guest at the Barton home, Elwyn
Moore had the coveted chance to pre-
sent himself and his trophy to pretty
Mabel Barton.
She admired II, and Its owner az
well. The result was natural. The
trophy became q family heirloom. 1t
was not only a reminder Of the skill