since the reckless
man in the other air craft led the way, Frank had chosen to follow. He
believed that he could accomplish any feat that was possible to Casper
Blue, especially now that the old air navigator had a handicap in the
way of a crippled arm.

The water seemed rushing up to meet them; so it looked to Andy, whose
anxious gaze was fastened upon the lower depths, as they dipped down in
that terrific swoop. But then, he had seen the same thing when over the
land, so that in itself this did not daunt him.

"Oh!"

That exclamation seemed to be forced from Andy's lips when he felt Frank
give a quick turn to the lever that caused the deflecting rudder to
again resume a normal position. The drop of the aeroplane was brought to
a gradual stop, and when immediately afterwards the buzz of the motor
announced that the propelling power was again at work, it was no wonder
that the nervous boy expressed his relief by giving vent to that cry.
There was a world of gratitude back of that word, it can be set down as
certain; for no matter how confident Andy might have been concerning his
cousin's ability to accomplish wonders, the new hydroplane was as yet
untried in many things.

Now he even dared take his awed gaze from the heaving waters beneath the
framework of the aeroplane, and give a thought to those whom they had
chased overland and water for nearly three hours.

"Bully for Casper Blue! He made the riffle too! he's all to the good!"
was the way the impulsive Andy announced his discovery to Frank, who
just then could not spare even a second to take his attention off the
working of the motor.

After all, it was not so very strange that the boy should express
himself in this way. True, the man he was praising was now a criminal,
and they sought to effect his arrest in some manner as yet vague and
uncertain; but it was not in this light Andy viewed him just then. As a
birdsman Casper Blue had proved that he still possessed the nerve and
skill to direct a daring flight, and that all the tricks known to
celebrated fliers were at his finger's ends.

Any one who has risked his life up among the clouds must always respect
such a valiant spirit, even though aware that the object of his
admiration has in other ways forfeited the esteem of all honorable men.

There was the biplane moving along on a level keel, and not more than
two hundred feet above the water. And still the course held due north,
showing that the despera