The aviator was more than pleased at the real interest displayed by his willing protégé. Bob Dallow had gratified him with his cool daring and quick adaptation to his new calling. In Ben, however, the old aviator discovered more of the scientific and constructive element. He was kindly disposed, and he seemed decided to give Ben all the encouragement he could.
The second day was fairly spectacular for our hero. It was the first time he had seen a real airship afloat. He had already mastered the mechanism of the aeroplane. Their ready manipulation by the aviators, however, fairly fascinated him.
It was a famous sight to see a venturesome air sailor start a daring altitude record in the teeth of a wind blowing twenty miles an hour. It was like a dream to watch a machine diminish to a mere speck in the air, and then in a roundabout gyration through several complete circles, wind up in a sensational glide back to its starting place.
Some of the bird-men went so far and so high that they stiffly climbed from their machines as they regained terra firma. One monoplane ventured some practicable curves, dashed into a fence and was demolished. There were many triumphs, but some mishaps as well. Ben stored a mass of valuable ideas in his mind that stirring day in his new experience.
Mr. Davis gave the boys a ride in his monoplane, the Flyer, the day following. It was Ben’s first flight. He went through all the thrills of an initial ascent, but was charmed after the first breathless rush aloft in the subsequent cavortings of the light and dainty fabric of wood and canvas.
The present aero meet was simply preliminary to a contest occasion for prizes two weeks later. A convention at a near city was to intervene. Until the last of the month the enclosed field would be simply a practice campus. On the coming Saturday, however, there were to be some endurance tests which would go far towards deciding the selection of the best aeroplane on the grounds.
Ben had arranged to wait and see this event. Then he was to return home. He had freely confessed to Mr. Davis that he intended to go into building an airship of his own.
It was Wednesday evening when Ben and Bob were discussing “the early start to-morrow.” Both were looking forward to the ensuing morning to an event in which they were especially interested. It was to be a free-for-all occasion. Bob had persuaded Mr. Davis to allow them to use the Flyer, in fact Bob and Ben had made several experimental flights that afternoon. It had ended in Ben making a suggestion which set his impulsive chum on fire with expectancy and enthusiasm.
“Keep it to yourself, Ben,” directed Bob, as they went to their quarters for the night. “We’ll show these aviator-fellows some fancy work and a novelty feature or two.”
“It will be quite a novelty, I think, yes,” said Ben. “Don’t be too venturesome, though, Bob.”