lt and
almost fantastic way through the years.

And so it will be gratifying and, no doubt,
amazing to many to read this book and realize
the advancement made in aviation since this story
was written by Mr. Fraser, and how many of the
ideas he prophesied for airplane advancement
that have materialized in less than a score of years.

Around-the-world flyers, even the most recent,
have all flown more or less northerly routes, not
following the equatorial belt, which is, as we all
know, the earth's greatest circumference. It is
this course that our four young heroes take in
Sky-Bird II, a plane designed and constructed
by themselves, containing many features that
aeronautics now takes for granted, and some not
yet realized, which are, nevertheless, "within the
scope of mechanical science," as Fraser says.

So, it is our opinion, young readers, that in
addition to enjoying an exciting story, you will
benefit by carefully reading the technical
passages, and in doing so, learn to observe your
present-day surroundings with a greater
perspective--thus adding infinitely greater interest
to your view of the world today!

THE PUBLISHERS.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

I PAUL AND BOB
II THE BROTHERS' INVENTION
III THE SUCCESSFUL MODEL
IV PLANNING A BIG AIRPLANE
V AN AIR RACE FINISH AND A CHALLENGE
VI THE MISSING BLUE-PRINTS
VII WHO'S AT THE WINDOW?
VIII THE SKY-BIRD II
IX THE TEST FLIGHT
X FINAL PREPARATIONS
XI OFF FOR PANAMA
XII FIGHTING A DEVIL-FISH
XIII THE STRANGE AIRPLANE
XIV A FAMILIAR FACE
XV THE START
XVI TRICKED BY RIVALS
XVII ACROSS THE ATLANTIC
XVIII AN IRRITATING DELAY
XIX SAVED BY THE SEARCHLIGHT
XX A JUNGLE ADVENTURE
XXI THE DOUBLE LOOP
XXII ABOVE THE CLOUDS
XXIII BOMBED BY ROCKS
XXIV RIDING AN AIRPLANE'S TAIL
XXV ENGULFED IN A VOLCANO'S DUST
XXVI IN AUSTRALIA
XXVII PAUL VERSUS PETE
XXVIII A MIX-UP IN DATES
XXIX A FLYING RESCUE
XXX AN ALARMING DISCOVERY
XXXI THE FINISH

Around the World in Ten Days

CHAPTER I

PAUL AND BOB

"Did you say this big Air Derby around the world takes place this
coming summer, Bob?"

"So dad told me at the breakfast table this morning, Paul. The plans
have just been completed. He said full details would be in to-day's
papers."

"And the afternoon edition is out now, for there's a newsie just ahe