“Got your land chart ready?” asked Ned.
“Everything is in place,” answered Roy.
“Alan,” exclaimed Ned, “take the wheel and finish your trick. Roy, you had better begin your observations and log. Norwalk is just below us. Take your station and give your orders.”
Each boy sprang to his work, Alan to the wheel and Roy to the desk. As Alan saw the little city spread out beneath him, 2,000 feet below but sharp and distinct in the now clear, sunshiny June mid-afternoon, he reported:
“Town beneath; two, forty-one, seventeen o’clock and the course is northeast by east one-half east.”
“Make it so,” responded Roy instantly. Then he entered the time on his log and went through the form of checking the course. “Steady ahead and keep a lookout for town of Derby, twenty miles. Landmarks, red water tower north of town and small park with two cannon near center of town.”
“Aye, aye,” was Alan’s reply and the new watch was set.
“I’ll take a look over the ship,” said Ned. “Give her all she’ll take. It’s full speed from now to the end.”
Stepping out into the gallery the young commander sighed. Able to walk only with difficulty he stationed himself near the instrument case and the aerometer. As the wind cups of this flew faster and faster he watched them as if fascinated. He knew from the gale pushing against him that their speed was increasing. Then he hobbled back into the pilot room and stood by the speed register. It had increased to two and one-third miles a minute. Never had any other man driven vehicle passed through the air at that speed. But it was not enough. Slowly, the indicator arm trembling, the needle reached a shade over two and one-half miles and then paused.
“Is that your best?” asked Ned calmly and slowly.