“Yes, sir.”
“And I guess Dave has already written a treatise on the subject,” grinned Dick.
Bob Somers had found that with the aeroplane under his own guidance, and every movement, therefore, dependent upon the way in which he manipulated the controlling levers, the sensation was entirely different from that of being merely a passenger. But he quickly gained confidence, and on the succeeding days gradually accustomed himself to making short flights, always at low altitudes, and with Ferd seated beside him.
“Nothing is apt to disturb one’s nerve so much as a serious mishap at an early stage of the proceedings,” Ferd remarked. “Go slow is a good motto for the beginner.”
Whatever misgivings the inventor and his sons may have had regarding Bob’s venture into their chosen field soon vanished, for they quickly realized that he was cool-headed and not disposed to be venturesome.
Cranny Beaumont’s great ambition to become an air-man, however, did not meet with encouragement. Doctors and surgeons were not plentiful around Border City, so the Ogdens firmly intimated that his talents might be better turned into other channels.
“Cran” was disposed to sulk tremendously at first, and Willie said a few things which caused the Ogdens to keep close around, for they were kind-hearted men and greatly preferred that nothing should happen to him. Ferd, then, good-naturedly humored the big lad by taking him on several cross-country flights, and every one was able to breathe a little easier.
Meanwhile the time for the aviators to leave was approaching. Each day had found them hard at work in the machine shop, putting the finishing touches on the “Ogden III.” Bob and the others were often able to assist, and in this way the lad gained a practical knowledge of the biplane’s construction and of the gasoline motor.
As Willie Sloan spent almost his entire time in the shop, Bob Somers found many opportunities to study him closely. Both he and Dave Brandon became convinced that Mr. Beaumont’s ward was a great deal sharper than Cranny supposed. The latter never failed to laugh at Willie’s odd questions, but the other two had a growing suspicion that even those not intended to be humorous or irritating were, as Bob expressed it, “Easy offerings to an apparently easy crowd.”
“Hoodwinkers,” added Dave.