CHAPTER II Arrival of a Stranger
Not always, and in fact seldom, are things so important and unusual as a Transatlantic aerial flight, to be carried out strictly according to prearranged plans and schedule.
Long before the final details of this great expedition had been decided upon, careful students of flying had foreseen that preliminary to the establishment of that method of transport as one of the dependable arts of commerce, the study of the air, the weather, and atmospheric conditions generally, would have to advance farther than it ever has thus far, and that upon that knowledge aeroplanes and dirigibles in passenger and freight service would be operated upon schedules almost as regular as those of our railroads and steamship lines today; more like the latter, however, in that seasonal conditions would largely govern arrivals and departures.
In other words, that the study of atmospheric conditions would make it possible to know, from the average that had obtained over, say, a period of five or ten years, about what sort of weather might be expected to prevail at every important flight point, or over every regular flying route, throughout every part of the year.
Such a study, so far as it had been possible to advance it, had been made prior to the present proposed flight, and the schedule was arranged for what was believed would be the most propitious time in the year, both for the start and for the conditions expected to be encountered once the planes had left sight of America and had started upon the long, perilous and uncharted course across the Atlantic Ocean.
But alas, as the poet said, for "the best-laid plans of mice and men."
Contrary to every plan and calculation, in direct opposition to every hope and prediction, it had rained with only occasional and brief interruptions for the greater part of three days and three nights, and now, on this, the morning of the fifth day since the crews had arrived at Halifax, the first promise of better weather was held forth in a stiff breeze that was blowing from the northwest.
And as well may be imagined, this first sign of relief had not come too soon. As a matter of fact, a blue funk had prevailed over the entire camp ever since the storm had set in. It hadn't been so bad at first, when there were a hundred and one things that each crew could find to do in the way of big and little details looking to increased speed, efficiency and safety throughout the trip.