United States territory to that belonging to
Canada. There was always the chance that these men might turn upon them,
and succeed in doing something to injure the hydroplane, causing it to
drop into the midst of that inland sea.

Strange how small things often insist upon thrusting themselves forward
when some sort of peril threatens. The very first thing Andy seemed to
think about was the fact that they did not happen to have any life
preservers aboard the craft. Not that there was one chance in a thousand
they would ever need such things around Bloomsbury, though there was
Lake Sunrise to be reckoned with; but just then it struck the boy that
every well equipped aeroplane ought always to carry a couple of rubber
rings along, which, in moments of dire necessity could be blown full of
air, and would serve to sustain wrecked aviators until help came.

He even decided to mention this fact to his cousin, after this voyage
was concluded. It loomed up as large as the Rock of Gibralter just then,
even as a dream may at the moment of awaking, but which later on begins
to lose its realistic effect until it seems next door to silly.

"They don't show the least sign of changing their course, do they,
Frank?" Andy remarked after another spell of time had passed.

"Not that you could notice," replied the other, composedly.

Andy derived more or less comfort from this way his chum had of keeping
his head even under the most trying conditions. When his own nerves were
fairly quivering with excitement, it always steadied Andy to turn and
see that Frank was as cool and calm as though nothing were amiss. More
than a few times in the past it had caused the more hot-headed Bird boy
to conquer his own weakness, and do himself credit in some difficult
feat that became necessary. Example is a splendid thing to lead any boy
along safe roads. Words may be forgotten in the trying moment; but when
he actually sees the thing done before his very eyes, it is indelibly
impressed upon his mind.

"About how long will it be before we get there?" Andy asked again; for
he was forever wanting to know, when he had any misgivings about his own
capacity for reaching a reasonable conclusion.

"Do you mean before we leave the land, and commence our voyage across
the lake?" Frank inquired.

"Yes, that's it--more than half an hour, at the speed we're going now?"
continued the other.

"Just about, I should say," Frank replied, after carefully measuring