"Is she all right?" inquired Dunk, when the aviator, seemingly satisfied, straightened up and discontinued his examination.
"As slick as a whistle," returned Hawke cheerily, springing lightly into the plane.
A touch of his hand and the motor was buzzing impatiently.
"Fine day for a try-out," he observed. "Not a breath of wind stirring."
Fred and Dunk were instructed to hold the tail at the start, and Jerry was to turn the screw that set the machine in motion.
"I'm ready now, any time," said Hawke, with perfect composure.
"Clear away, everybody," commanded Captain Crawford, but it took both him and Mr. Phipps to force the crowd back against the buildings surrounding the parade grounds.
"When I fire, up she goes," laughed Herb, rather nervously, gripping the revolver which he held in his hand. He almost hesitated to fire the shot that should decide the fate of their earnest labors.
Hawke, however, had regained his natural calm, and sat waiting, composed and confident.
"Let 'er go," he commanded, taking hold of the lever with a sure and steady hand.