“Good enough. You’re engaged. Go down to the hangars and wait till I come. Hold on,” halting Dave, as he started to obey orders. “I want to say a word. I call it all opportunity, the queer way you have run into my affairs. I like your make up. The last assistant I had played me mean. He’ll lose by it. I’m willing to do a good deal for a fellow who will be loyal to his business. I put big faith in you. Don’t disappoint me.”
“Say,” began Dave in a great gulp, and he could not bring the words out, he was so worked up.
“I know what you would say,” spoke the airman quickly. “Never feel any different about it than you do at this moment, and there will be no regrets.”
“There’s only one thing troubles me, Mr. King,” observed Dave.
“What’s that?”
“My guardian. I ran away from home.”
“Good for you. From what you tell me, that miserly old rascal, Warner, won’t waste any time or money hunting you up. If he does, I think I know how to handle him.”
Dave started down the field so filled with joy that he could have shouted out aloud. Up to this time his mind had been so occupied with affairs outside of airships, that he had found no opportunity to view those he had seen in detail. Now he seemed to be a part of the great unique activity surrounding him on every side.
“It’s wonderful, it’s grand!” he mused. “Oh, to think of my luck! And the friends I’ve met with!”
Dave’s eyes filled with grateful tears. He felt as if suddenly he had found his right place in life and a real home. The thought that he was to see, survey and perhaps handle a real airship thrilled him with gladness.