"Go ahead," said Tom.
"I would like to go up in a machine with you," was the reply.
Tom stopped, and looked at Alfred. "Do you really mean it?" he asked.
"Of course I do," replied Alfred.
"That's what I want to do, too," chimed in Ralph.
"It's against the rules to take up any one but the observers during practice hours; but let me see,—we may be able to fix it up some other time," said Tom.
"Do you have to do much practicing?" asked Alfred.
"Only from six to eight hours a day," answered Tom.
"What! do you mean practice flying when you are not scouting?" asked Ralph.
"Well, I should say so," was the answer.