A big wagon shed was cleaned out, and John Snubble and his sons aided the others in rolling the biplane under the roof. Some old blankets were thrown over the engine.
"Do you think she'd be safe here?" whispered Dick, to Peter Marley.
"She will be so far as Snubble is concerned," said the farmer. "He'll leave her alone, an' so will his sons. But some outsider may come an' fool with her."
"Well, we've got to take that chance," returned the eldest Rover boy. "We won't leave the biplane here any longer than necessary."
It was not until nearly supper time that the boys got back to Rayville. Here Peter Marley was paid for what he had done, and then the youths lost no time in running out their automobile and going home.
The next day they telegraphed to the aviator who was to give them lessons in sailing the Dartaway, and he came as soon as he could. He listened with much interest to what the lads had to tell him.
"Well, it was certainly a great try-out!" he declared. "It proves that the Dartaway is a well-balanced machine, and that means much."
He had brought with him the necessary wire for repairs, and soon all were on the way to the Snubble farm, taking a road that would land them directly at the door.
"Glad you come!" cried John Snubble on seeing the boys. "Going to take the machine right away, ain't you?"
"We hope to," answered Dick. "Why?" For he saw that the farmer had something on his mind.