CHAPTER XI
GOOD-BY TO THE FOREIGN SPIES
When Hugh saw the air pilot reach back and take a small black objectfrom a box attached to the body of the monoplane close to the gasolinetank, he knew that those skulkers below were in for a lively time of it.
Undoubtedly they had been creeping toward the rear of the camp withthe hope either of picking up valuable information, or finding achance to make way with precious plans connected with this latest warairship which Uncle Sam was trying out, and which possessed featuresfar in advance of anything known abroad.
At a certain second, when he judged that he could drop the bomb veryclose to where the couple were secreted, the lieutenant hastened todo this. Almost immediately afterwards he caused the monoplane tomake a curve, so that they would be in shape to circle around thatparticular spot and repeat the bombardment as long as the supply ofmissiles held out.
Twisting his head so that he could watch the result, Hugh's gazefollowed the descending bomb until it struck the ground. Instantlythere was a pretty loud racket and the dirt flew, although thismissile undoubtedly contained but a small portion of the new andterrible explosive, being intended only for experimental purposes inthe way of gauging distances correctly.
The two spies instantly sprang into view and started to dash madlyaway. They undoubtedly labored under the impression that once therange had been properly found, one of those fearful projectiles wouldbe dropped down on them. No doubt they had before now examined thegreat hole in the earth showing where aviators had dropped one of thelarger bombs, and knew what to expect in case such a missile fellanywhere near them.
"You've given them a bad scare already, sir!" remarked Hugh, greatlyenjoying the experience, although it made him think of a fable in oneof his earlier books concerning the sport of stoning that was "fun forthe boy but death to the frogs."
"That is only a beginning," declared the lieutenant. "This monoplaneis so well constructed that we can hover over them, no matter whatthey do, just as a hawk shadows a rabbit."
Indeed, the entire performance did remind Hugh of occasions when hehad watched a red-tailed hawk chasing a frightened bunny, now slowingup on quivering pinions, then making numerous pretended lunges inorder to frighten the quarry still more, and finally ending thepursuit by a well-directed swoop that gave the bird of prey itsfine dinner.
The two men were bewildered as well as alarmed. Another bombexploded close behind them, and started them off on a new tack.Run which way they might, it seemed as though that terrible enemyin the air kept hovering above them, sending a little black objectshooting earthward every half dozen seconds, to be followed by asudden crash, many times magnified in their excited imaginations.
Once the taller man started to fire his automatic revolver upwards,as though in sheer desperation he hoped to cause the air pilot togive over the chase. The reports sounded like the detonation oftoy fire-crackers to Hugh; and if the bullets came as far as themonoplane, he heard nothing that sounded like their passing.
Dodging this way and that as though almost panic-stricken, thespies finally betook themselves into the sheltering forest. Beforethey could hide under the branches of the oaks, the tall man wasseen to stumble at the top of a rather steep declivity and roll allthe way to the bottom, as though he might be a barrel that somemischievous lad had started downhill for the fun of seeing it jump.
Some seven of the little bombs had been used by the time both menvanished into the shelter of the woods a mile or so away from camp.The Lieutenant was laughing heartily as though he had enjoyed thediversion greatly.
"I imagine that will settle them, all right, Hugh," he remarked, ashe once more turned the aeroplane back toward home.
At the same time he mounted higher for the final volplane downward.Since the other boys had enjoyed this novel sensation, it would betoo bad if the patrol leader did not have the same chance toexperience it.
"Do you think after that bombardment that they'll be apt to clear outand give over trying to learn what Uncle Sam is up to?" Hugh asked.
"That is my impression," replied the other. "All they can havelearned is that we have a new explosive that excels all knowndestructive forces as five to one; and that our latest model ofa war aeroplane bids fair to eclipse anything known in foreignparts. After all is said and done, son, you can trust the inventiveability of the Yankee to see anything done by others and go themone better. That is because we are the melting pot for all nations,and rewards for genius are so much greater here than abroad, thatit spurs us all on to achieve wonderful things. It's a greatprivilege, Hugh, just to know that you are a nativeborn American.Never forget to be thankful for it."
Apparently this daring aeronaut was intensely patriotic. Hugh feltdrawn toward him more than ever on this account, because he had hisown ideas on this subject, and they coincided with those ofLieutenant Fosdick.
That volplane, started from a much higher altitude than either Bud orRalph had reached, would never be forgotten by the patrol leader.His breath seemed actually to be taken away as he felt himselfshooting toward the earth, which, in fact, appeared to be risingswiftly to meet him. That is the sensation that a novice alwaysfeels under the circumstances. But at the proper second, the pilotshifted his rudder and the planes took on a new position thatinstantly stayed their downward plunge. This caused the monoplaneto sail along gently, parallel with the field, to which it descendedimmediately afterwards in safety.
Of course the other scouts wondered what all that racket meant,although Ralph had guessed something close to the truth. Theystarted to ask questions at such a rate that Hugh laughingly criedfor quarter.
"Here, hold up a little," he interrupted, "and I'll tell you all aboutit. You see we happened to discover those two sneaking spies in thebushes, and the Lieutenant said it would be a fine chance to givethem such a scare that they'd be only too glad to skip out and letthings go for keeps. He had a lot of small experimental bombs along,and every time one dropped near where they were trying to hide, you'dhave nearly taken a fit laughing to see how they skipped out and ranlike mad."
"Guess they thought you'd drop one of the big ones after you got therange," suggested Ralph.
"That was what was scaring them," Hugh agreed. "And after seeingwhat had happened when one of those exploded, you could hardly blamethem for being panic-stricken. They were a mile away when last seen,and I reckon they're still on the full run. Lieutenant Fosdick sayshe doesn't think either of them will ever have the nerve to comeback again."
"Huh! good riddance of bad rubbish," grunted Bud. "I'd give somethingto see how they make out with the figuring I did on that paper theyhooked from our shanty. They couldn't make head or tail of it in ayear; so they are not likely to steal the idea of my wonderfulstability device, which is luck enough for me for one day."
Hugh gave Ralph a suggestive look, as though begging him not to sayanything just then to hurt poor Bud's dream of fame. Later on, whenthey were back home again, they could break the sad news to him gently,as the officer had suggested. What was the use of spoiling hispleasure for that glorious day? They might never have another chanceto be with the brave fellows of Uncle Sam's Flying Squadron; so itwas just as well to make the most of their opportunity while it lasted.
The Lieutenant tried to coax them to stay longer, but Hugh knew theymust be on their way home shortly after noon, much as he wanted toremain. Their folks might be anxious if they did not show up sometime that evening; and the next day would be Sunday, which was prettystrictly observed in their home town.
The balance of their stay in the experimental camp was passed intrying to learn all they possibly could about things connected withaviation.
"Those who observe the trend of events closely," Lieutenant Green toldthem, as he only too gladly showed them many clever devices calculatedto increase the efficiency of aeroplanes when in action, "are firmlyconvinced that should we ever get embroiled in a war with anyfirst-class power, which we all hope will never happe
n, aeroplanesare bound to occupy a very important place in the field."
"But I'm sure I read lately that there has been talk of limiting theactivities of air craft in war times?" Hugh questioned.
"Yes, and already it has been settled that bombs shall not be droppedinto besieged cities where civilians may be killed, but only intoforts and on war vessels," the army officer told them. "But, afterall, that is only a small fraction of the uses to which a waraeroplane may be put. For scouting and learning the movements oftroops, it is a wonder. No matter how skilful a general may be,his plans are all apt to go amiss if the quick movements of hisforces are discovered by the airman from a mile above. The aviatormay be well out of reach of any missiles modern guns can throw upward,but with his glasses he can watch every movement and signal the newsto headquarters."
The scouts were astonished to hear all this.
"Where would the genius of a Napoleon have been," remarked LieutenantFosdick in turn, "if aeroplanes had been in common use as far back asWaterloo? You may remember that the secret of his great success inbattle was the mobility of his troops. He would divide his army andhurl a part of it so as to strike the enemy unexpectedly on the flank,timing his own frontal attack so as to complete the confusion. Well,if the enemy had known what was coming they could easily have whippedthe divided force of the great French leader in detail. The comingof man's mastery over the air will cause new and strange happeningsin case of war. By degrees, fighting will become so terrible thatall nations must unite in a bond to keep the peace forever."
Much more along these same lines did the three Boy Scouts hear fromthe two venturesome air pilots during the balance of their stay inthe experimental camp. It was an experience they could never forget.Ralph fairly hugged himself with satisfaction because he had obeyedthe spirit that tempted him to pay a visit to his old camping groundsduring the short Thanksgiving holiday season.
"Think what I would have missed if I'd told myself it was foolish towaste my time out here, when I never expected to set a single trapagain!" he declared, as the signal was given to tell them that dinnerwas ready and they prepared to join the two officers at their mess.
"It's been one of the greatest times of my whole life," admitted Bud,a happy grin on his face as he looked over at his crude but effectivemodel of a monoplane, all done up, waiting transportation again; andHugh could easily guess what delightful dreams must be crowdingthrough his chum's mind, which later on it must be his painful dutyto dissolve.
They certainly did enjoy that meal, eating heartily of the camp fare.At least Uncle Sam provided bountifully for those whom he employed inhis new Flying Squadron, the boys told each other; for one of the menin camp was a real _chef_, and could get some mighty appetizingdishes together on occasion.
As there were several pack animals available, Lieutenant Fosdickproposed that they load the model upon one of these. A soldierwould accompany them as far as the nearest farm house on the roadto town, where they could hire a vehicle, and then bring the animalback.
When the time came to say good-by to the aviators, the boys allexpressed their gratitude on account of the kindnesses they hadreceived.
"Don't mention it," Lieutenant Fosdick replied, shaking each of thescouts by the hand; "the pleasure has all been on our side. Andbesides, you did us a great favor by warning us about those foreignspies. Some time I hope we'll meet again. Until then, the best ofluck attend you, Hugh, Ralph and Bud! Goodby, lads!"
CHAPTER XII
HOME AGAIN
The three scouts intended stopping long enough at the lonely shack inthe woods to look about, and see that they had forgotten nothing. Allof them declared they had had the time of their lives, and wouldcertainly never be apt to forget the remarkable experiences that hadcome their way.
"There she is!" exclaimed Bud, pointing ahead.
"The cabin, you mean," Ralph added, as he, too, caught a glimpse ofthe familiar shack which had given them such friendly shelter. "Andit looks as quiet and peaceful as can be, too."
"Why, what else would you expect?" Bud asked him. "Hugh, didn't weclose that door when we came away; seems to me I can remember doingthe same, after you told me it was best?"
"You certainly did pull it shut after you," Hugh quickly replied.
"Well, it's part way open right now, you can see for yourself if itisn't," Bud asserted strenuously.
"That's right, it is, Bud."
"I wonder if the wind could have done it," the other mused. "Itdoes play some queer pranks, I happen to know from past experiences.Guess that fastening is a bad one, and don't hold worth a cent."
"It's too late for us to bother fixing anything now, Bud," saidRalph; "though to tell you the truth I always thought the door heldas tight as anything."
"Then what opened it, do you think?" demanded Bud, as they continuedto approach the shack, the soldier who was accompanying them to takeback the horse interested in what they were saying.
"I don't know, if you ask me point blank," Ralph admitted, frankly."It might have been that you didn't fasten it the right way. Thenagain p'raps some one has passed along here, and stepped in to seeif there was anything worth taking."
"Whee! I hope that last isn't the right answer," was what Budhastened to observe; "I've got a few little things there I'd hateto lose, let me tell you. Now, if you come right down to---oh! Hugh!"
"What's the matter with you?" demanded the one whose name had beenuttered so wildly.
"Didn't you see that---where were your eyes that you didn't see whatpoked out of the open door just then?" cried Bud, coming to a completestandstill in his astonishment and perplexity.
"I'm sorry to say that I didn't happen to be looking that way justwhen you spoke," Hugh admitted. "But tell us what it was you saw,Bud!"
"A head! A bear's head!" exclaimed Bud.
"That begins to sound interesting," said Ralph, as his face lighted up.
"But Ralph, you said there were no bears around here any more, so howcould that be?" Hugh asked, as he turned on the other.
"Hardly that, Hugh; I told you I had never happened to run acrossone while trapping up here; but there was a time when they were saidto be thick around this section; and who knows but what one may havewandered back, to see what the country promised him in the way of food."
Bud began dancing up and down in new excitement.
"We did leave a lot of grub in there, fellows," he told them; "andchances are that the old black sinner has gone and spoiled what hecouldn't eat. That's a habit with bears, I'm told; they're about asbad as hogs that way."
"Well, what are we going to do about it?" asked Hugh, lookingaround at his two chums.
"We've got a gun!" suggested Bud.
"But we didn't come up here to do any hunting, and besides, scoutsas a rule don't go around gunning for game," said Ralph.
"Hugh," said Bud, trying to appear cool and collected, "you've got todecide this for us, because I look at it one way, and here's Ralphsaying it wouldn't be right for us to try and plug this old bear.Will we just try to shoo him away, or give him a few cold chunks of lead?"
Hugh smiled and nodded to Ralph.
"You lose this time, Bud," he said, "because I'm siding with Ralphhere. If we were really hungry and in need of food, of course I'dsay we had a right to get fresh meat; but we're on our way home now,and seems to me it would be a shame to spoil all our splendid sportby being cruel to a poor old bear that doesn't know any better thanto gobble flour and anything else he finds lying around loose."
Now Bud was a good loser. Perhaps after all he did not really feelas ferocious as he pretended; and to tell the truth might have beensorry if Hugh had sided with him, so that war was declared upon thehairy invader of the shack.
"How'll we get him out of there?" he proceeded to ask. "If he knowsa good thing when he tastes it you bet he won't be in any hurry toleave."
"How about you going in and telling him his room is better than hiscompany?" asked Hugh.
"You'll have to excuse me this time, I'm afraid," Bud quickly announced."I pass it up to Ralph here; he knows more about the way of animals ina minute than I do in a year."
"Can you fix him up, Ralph?" questioned Hugh, turning to the boy whohad studied animals so long that he might be looked on as an authority.
Ralph was always willing to oblige.
"To be sure I can, and will, Hugh," he hastened to say, with one ofhis rare smiles. "The rest of you stay back here, and when he oncegets clear of the door start to shouting as loud as you can."
"Which is to add to his alarm, I suppose?" suggested Hugh.
"Just about what it is," and saying no more, Ralph started for thecabin.
They noticed that he did not approach from the front, and thisexplained that Ralph had no intention of trying to enter the placewhile it had a hairy occupant.
He had first gathered up something and made a bundle of it under oneof his arms.
Bud, looking closely, believed that he knew what the other scout hadcollected.
"Dead weeds, as sure as anything! Bears don't eat dried weeds, dothey? If he had 'em dripping with wild honey p'raps it might do thebusiness, because they say bears go crazy when they get sniff ofhoneycomb."
"All of which is true enough, Bud," Hugh told him; "but when you thinkRalph expects to coax the bear to come out, you're barking up thewrong tree. It's my opinion force would be a much better word,because he means to compel him to vacate."
"Now you have got me guessing, Hugh; If you know, please take meinto the game. There, Ralph's climbing up where the roof is lowest.It wasn't much of a boost for a fellow as active as he is. Whatd'ye think he'll do next?"
"Make for the chimney, unless I'm away off, which I don't think I am.There, you see he's up already. What does he seem to be doing now,Bud?"
"Why, I declare if he isn't crunching all that dry stuff down theold chimney! Oh! now I've got it, Hugh! He's going to smoke thebear out!"
"I shouldn't wonder but what that is just what he expects to do,"chuckled Hugh; "and let's watch and see how it works. Ralph knowshow much alarmed a bear will always get after smelling smoke. Itseems to be a part of his nature to dread anything that has to dowith fire. And in case he has had to hustle at some time in thepast to save his bacon from a raging forest fire, of course it'sall the worse. But Ralph is getting ready to put a match to thedry stuff he has in the chimney. After he has it smouldering goodI reckon he'll give the same a kick, and send it down into thefireplace. Then watch him clap that short piece of board on topof the clay chimney, forcing all the smoke to ooze out into thecabin, filling it full."
Both boys, and the soldier as well, kept their eyes glued uponthe figure of the scout on the roof of the cabin. Ralph was takinghis time. He usually did his work very systematically, and couldbe depended on to make a complete job of anything he undertook.
"There, it's beginning to come out of the door, the smoke, I mean!"exclaimed the anxious Bud.
"I want to get a snap-shot of the event when the bear rushes out,"said Hugh; "because there are a lot of fellows these days who wantto see the proof every time you tell them a story that seems outof the common run. The light is good right now, and I believe Ican make a fair picture, with Ralph pressing his board down on thechimney-top, and the smoke oozing out around him. Now to see howmuch the prowler can stand for."
"He peeked out just then, and must have seen us, Hugh, because hepulled in again," Bud shrilly cried. "Guess he don't think muchof human beings. He must have had some experience with the littleshooting sticks they seem to just point straight at him, and thenwith the cough he feels an awful pain. P'raps he's a bettersmoker than you think. What if he just declined to run thegauntlet as long as we stand here."
"It's only a question of time," Hugh assured him. "He can onlystand for so much, and then he'll make the rush, no matter whathappens."
"The smoke's coming out thicker and thicker, let me tell you,"Bud continued, fairly dancing in his nervous excitement. "Ifhe can stand that much longer I'll believe he's a regular oldsalamander."
"He won't," Hugh assured him. "He's pretty nearly all in rightnow. Twice we've seen him peek out as if he wanted to get the layof the land, so he could make his rush. The third time he's aptto come. So everybody get your breath ready to let out a whoopthat'll make him think the end of the world has arrived for keeps."
"Look! there he comes, Hugh!"
Even as Bud said this a bulky object rushed headlong out of thecabin door. It was the bear, doubtless already half-blinded withthe bitter smoke that smarted his eyes and created a panic in hismind.
Immediately the two boys and the soldier set up a series of whoopsthat made the forest ring. Ralph, too, joined in, and waved hishat from the roof of the cabin, even as Hugh pressed the button, andsnapped off the lively scene, with the frightened bear in full retreat.
Bud outdid himself in shouting, he was so tickled over the successof Ralph's plan. Twice he raised the double-barrel shotgun belongingto Ralph, which the other had placed in his hands for safe-keepingbefore starting to evict the unwelcome guest who had taken to usingtheir shack during their temporary absence. Of course after whatHugh had said, about not wanting to injure the bear, backed up ashe had been by the third scout, it was far from Bud's intention topull either trigger, and wound the poor beast. But just like mostboys he wanted to boast afterwards as to what "terrible things" hecould have done had he cared to take the trouble.
The bear must have received more or less of a shock, what with thesmoke, and that volley of shouts greeting his appearance outsidethe cabin; for the way he galloped away was indeed comical.
Hugh laughed heartily, and then as Ralph jumped off the low roof ofthe shack to join them, he complimented the one-time trapper on hisknowledge of Bruin's weak spots.
"Oh! that's an old story," Ralph declared. "You never want toforget that all savage animals, except, perhaps the two-hornedrhinoceros, which of course we don't have in this country, areafraid of fire. With a blazing torch you can pass safely througha woods where half a dozen hungry panthers are jumping about throughthe trees following you, but nine times out of ten not daring tomake a leap as long as you swing that fire stick around your head."
"Is that so?" Bud remarked; and then quickly added: "But how aboutthe tenth time, Ralph?"
"Oh! well," said the other, with a chuckle, "I guess they might takechances of the fire, and get you the tenth time, Bud. But it's thebest thing you can ever do if you're besieged by wolves, or anywild animals."
"Well," Hugh interrupted, "now that our unwelcome visitor hastaken his departure, and the cabin can be entered, let's get whattruck we have left there together, and be heading for the road."
They found that the bear had made inroads with regard to some oftheir provisions, but as they happened to be homeward bound it didnot matter much. The rest of the things they gathered up, and wereagain ready for a continuance of their journey home.
Once more they were on the tramp. Having nothing to carry, madethings very easy for all hands. The miles they had to cover beforereaching the road that would take them back to town did not appallthem in the least, for they were used to making long hikes; besides,they had so much to talk about that almost before realizing itthey had arrived at the first sign of civilization in the shapeof the turnpike.
Half a mile down this road was a farmhouse, where Hugh fancied theymight hire some sort of conveyance to take them home. If thiscould not be had, possibly the up-to-date farmer had telephoneconnections with town, and over the wire they might influence theowner of the livery stable to send out a rig to take care of them.
They were spared this long wait, however, because luckily enoughthe farmer happened to be going in town for supplies and readilymade terms with the scouts to carry them and their bundles.
So they said good-by to the soldier in khaki belonging to Uncle Sam'sFlying Corps, and were soon passing along the homeward road.
No doubt that fa
rmer pricked up his ears and did considerable eagerlistening, when he began to hear what his three passengers weretalking about. Never having seen an aeroplane in all his life,and having only a faint conception of the wonderful uses to whichthe fliers could be put, the tiller of the soil gasped many timeswhen he heard these mere lads tell of their feelings when half amile up in the air.
And when later on he chanced to discover from words let fall byBud, that the several packages in the back of the wagon containeda miniature aeroplane, the old man cast more respectful glancesback at them. He also changed his manner toward the scouts, andeven addressed Hugh once as "Mister Hardin."
In good time, long before the sun gave token of setting, theyarrived in town; and Bud was made happy in seeing his preciousminiature flier safely deposited at his own door. He still had thelook of one whose mind was soaring away up in the clouds and Hughdid not have the heart to disillusion him just then. There wouldbe no harm done in letting poor Bud dream a little longer beforegiving him that rude if necessary jolt.
Hugh was more than satisfied with the result of their latest expedition.Neither he nor Bud, at the time they started out, could possibly havedreamed of the remarkable experiences that were fated to come theirway. It had only been to enjoy one more little outing before wintercame along in earnest and to learn what the scout inventor hadaccomplished, that had induced Hugh to go forth immediately aftereating his turkey at the Thanksgiving feast.
And there was Ralph, who also had obeyed an inward mentor urging himto spend a day or so with his gun in the region where he had intimes past trapped many a little fur-bearing animal, whose glossycoat he covet coveted as a means of eventually paying for his tuitionin the School of Mines. He had only expected to wander in some ofhis familiar nooks, and perhaps to knock over a few quail to tempthis sick mother's fickle appetite; but see what had come out of suchhumble beginnings!
When the scouts had their next weekly meeting, Hugh thought it worthwhile to give the troop some description of the events that had comethe way of himself and his two chums. He purposely avoided morethan casual mention of Bud's invention, because he had found achance to bring the other down from the heights where he had beensailing, and Bud now knew that he had made his bright discovery"a mile too late," as he himself expressed it, looking exceedinglydowncast at the time.
Of course the three were looked upon as the luckiest fellows everknown by the rest of the troop present. Others among the boys hadexperienced some notable things since joining the troop and assistingthe rival armies in the field of maneuvers as signal corps operators;but nothing that had come their way as half as wonderful as beingtaken up in a genuine war aeroplane and being given a wild ridethrough the clouds.
What Hugh had to tell about the two foreign spies also excited thedelighted interest of Billy Worth, Arthur Cameron, Walter Osborne,Blake Merton, Don Miller, Cooper Fennimore, "Spike" Welling, AlecSands, Sam Winter, Dick Bellamy, Tom Sherwood, Ned Toyford and JackDurham, all of whom were present. They asked him many questions,and seemed never to tire of hearing about how the army air pilothad fired those volleys of small bombs down at the skulkers, actuallydriving them from the field for good.
A week later when Hugh met Bud Morgan on the way to school, he sawfrom the way in which the other looked at him that in some sensethe die had been cast.
"What's doing now, Bud?" asked the patrol leader, possibly guessingwhat the answer would turn out to be.
"Smashed her into flinders this A.M.," replied Bud, firmly.
"I reckon you must mean that aeroplane model of yours," venturedHugh.
"And you hit the bull's-eye plumb center when you say that, Hugh.I just made up my mind that I was too young to bother my brainsover a man's work and go to high school at the same time. Mylessons aren't any too good as it is, and they'd get so rotten badsoon I'd be sent home with a note to my dad. I've been trying tofind out where I got that idea of the stability device, and finallydiscovered an article about the Wright invention tucked away in oneof my books. Must have read it once and then forgotten all aboutit, so there's how I fooled myself into believing the idea wasoriginal with me. Served me right, too, but, anyhow, she worked,Hugh, didn't she?"
He grinned as he made this last triumphant observation, and Hughshook him by the hand to show how sorry he felt for the disappointedinventor.
"Worked like a charm, Bud," he remarked; "and if the famous Wrightbrothers could have seen what you did, after only glimpsing thearticle long ago, they would have said, just as I do, that youdeserve a heap of credit, that's what."
"Well, I'm done with the whole business right now," Bud continuedfirmly. "Find that it gets too much of a hold on my mind to botherwith while I'm still going to school. Day and night I couldn'tthink of anything but monoplanes, cylinders, drag brakes, propellers,guy wires, wing-tips, levers, barographs, barometers, searchlights,volplaning and all such stuff. It was wearing on my mind, you see.I even dreamed of flying, and came near taking a header out of mybedroom window that would have given me a broken leg, or twisted myneck so I could see both ways to Sunday. So I called it off, andthrew up the sponge for keeps."
"I think you were wise to do it, if you kept worrying over thingslike that," Hugh told him, as they walked along together to school.
Lieutenant Fosdick continued to show considerable interest in theyoung leader of the Wolf patrol. He had even asked Hugh to write tohim occasionally, and promised that as opportunities arose he wouldreply to each and every communication. He knew that he coulddescribe plenty of adventures, which of course always come thickand fast to the men in the Army Flying Squadron, even during timesof piping peace.
When Lieutenant Denmead came back from his trip and heard that hisold friend had been in the vicinity, he declared himself very muchdisappointed not to have had a chance to see Fosdick again. Of coursewhat Hugh had to relate concerning the warmth of the greeting givenhimself and two chums in the aviation camp pleased the Scout Masterconsiderably, also.
"I can see that you met some exciting times up there in the woods,son," he remarked, "and so please begin right at the start and tellme everything, no matter how small and insignificant it may seem inyour eyes. I'm just in the humor to enjoy a rattling tale ofadventure."
He admitted, after Hugh had finished his recital, that he got it, too;for there was much to thrill the nerves of even such an experiencedarmy man as he, in the narrative which the boy spun, every word ofit absolutely true.
Winter set in soon afterwards, so that the scouts were not able totake other outings. They had to content themselves with their weeklymeetings in the club rooms, but they laid out a vigorous campaign forthe next season. That is always considered the proper thing forscouts to do, to map out their plans ahead of time. To tell thetruth, often there is more real enjoyment in planning than inexecuting, for one does not get tired to death with long dusty trampswhile sitting in a comfortable easy-chair and mapping out afuture course!
Some of these plans would of course come to naught; but others mightbe expected to arrive at the stage of reality, when once the springadvanced. That new and unexpected developments were apt to stepin, however, and demand a share of their attention, may be seen fromthe character of the next volume in this series, which bears the title:"The Boy Scouts and the Prize Pennant."
THE END
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