hing when it is executed."

That was high praise from so conservative a fellow as Frank, as his
cousin well knew; and it filled Andy with rare delight.

"Oh! look down there, Frank!" he suddenly cried, pointing beneath them,
to where there was an open field.

Looking quickly Frank saw a sight that filled him with dismay. A young
girl was crossing the open stretch, and as her back was toward them, of
course she had not as yet discovered the presence of the biplane.

Racing back of the girl, and evidently meaning to overtake her, was a
savage-looking dog; and it required no effort on Frank's part to
understand that the intention of the brute was decidedly hostile.

Frank was a lad of prompt action. He instantly sent the aeroplane
downward, aiming for the running dog; and at the same time starting to
shout at the top of his voice, in which last Andy joined with him.

The animal, attracted by the clamor, looked up, and seeing that monster
bird as he believed swooping down at him, turned tail with frightened
yelps and ran away.

There was nothing for it now but to alight, since they had already
darted close to the earth; and accordingly Frank proceeded to
accomplish this feat as gently as possible.

It happened that the biplane came to a stop close to the girl, who was
standing there staring, as though hardly understanding what it all
meant. Andy hopped out the first thing even though he happened to be
holding the monkey wrench in his hand at the time, having snatched it
up in his excitement when he first discovered the threatening peril of
the girl.

He had just reached her side, and was starting to speak when a warning
shout from Frank, still in his seat aboard the aeroplane, caused Andy
to look around.

"The dog! Take care, he's going to attack you!" was what Frank shouted.

Apparently the ugly beast had already recovered from his fright, when
it discovered that human beings were aboard the strange airship. He
had halted a little distance away, and then, as Andy actually headed
toward him, started to meet the newcomer.

There could be no mistaking the evil intentions of the beast, he was of
the savage bulldog strain, and from the cut of his mouth it could be
seen that just now he meant business. And as Andy could not retreat,
with that pretty girl standing there unprotected, he just had to raise
his monkey wrench and wait for hostilities to begin.

CHAPTER XVIII

AT THE FOOT OF THE LIBERTY POL