“Go!”
Dave bounded up into the air, as he got into position in the roaring machine.
Like a gull he soared from the ground and circled about the meadows to the left of the course. The pure white wings of the Baby Racer were dazzling in the sunlight, almost blinding the staring group of spectators.
Dave took in the position of the three other contestants. Then he paid strict attention solely to the directions his proficient teacher had given him.
From a height of several hundred feet Dave cut off the motor and glided within fifteen feet of the earth; then with a new roar the engine started again and up went the mammoth bird.
Not satisfied with his test, Dave speeded up and slowed down several times, and then darted to earth. Before the machine came to a full stop he started again and swooped upwards.
For a quarter of an hour the biplane soared above the course, made a final stop, and came back to the earth within a few feet of the starting place from its sensational flight in the clouds.
Dave caught the echo of vast cheering, and as he was hustled along to the Grimshaw quarters, he was conscious of being slapped on the back, of hearing approving comments. He was a little exhausted and light headed from the unusual spin, however, and glad to sit down in a reclining camp chair and get his breath.
Grimshaw left him with Hiram, who had abandoned work for the hour to give full attention to his friend.
“How did I do, Hiram?” asked Dave.