“An aeroplane!” exclaimed all the other lads in a breath.
“A new form of aeroplane, with propellers built like the great wings of a bird,” explained Mr. Swaim. “It’s an invention of mine, but is not perfected yet, though it flies fairly well. There are certain parts, on which I have not yet got my patents, and that is why I do not admit any of the men to the shed when the ‘Eagle’ as I call her, is there. But Will got in before I could stop him, though I guess he’ll not try to get ahead of his uncle.”
“No, indeed, Uncle Andy!”
“And did you fly it over our camp?” asked Jack.
“I did, and that was the sound you heard. It makes quite a whirring noise, when the wings are working fast, and the engine has a peculiar throbbing sound. I don’t wonder you and the Indian guide were frightened.”
“Oh, Long Gun was more scared than we were,” explained Nat.
“Probably. You see I only flew it at night, because I did not want any one to see it.”
“And it really works?” asked Bony.
“Yes, but not as well as I would like it to. I have only been able to take up myself and one other man, so far. I want it to carry at least five passengers, but I shall have to alter my engine, or change the shape of the wings, or else increase their size, before it will lift that much. But Stephen and I often flew over the mountain. We used to judge of our position by your camp-fire. At least I suppose, from what Will tells me, that it was your fire.”
“Yes,” said Jack. “We heard you calling to one another one night, and that kept us guessing more than ever.”