e to try a little flight, Jeff?" she asked.

"Would I?" echoed the youth; "will a duck swim?"

"Yes, I believe so," laughed Roy, "and so can a certain young wireless
operator fly."

"Gee, Roy, you mean it?"

"Of course, if you're not scared."

There was a mischievous twinkle in Roy's eye as he bent over the engine.

"How would you like a ride, Mr. Beasley?" asked Peggy presently, while
Roy adjusted the engine.

The weather-beaten old fellow fairly threw up his hands.

"Land of Goshen, miss!" he exclaimed, "I've lived on the earth and sea,
man and boy, for fifty years, and I ain't agoin' ter tempt Providence by
embarking in a sky clipper at this late day."

"You bet you ain't," put in Mrs. Beasley with deep conviction. "Why, if
you ever done such a thing we'd be like to be read out of church--not but
what it's all right for young folks if they know how to manage the
contraptions."

"Now, then, Jeff, if you are ready will you get in?" said Roy presently.

The slender young wireless operator hopped into the chassis with
alacrity. But his face was a bit pallid from excitement at the idea of
the new method of locomotion he was about to test.

Last good-byes were said, and the motor began to whirr like a gigantic
locust. There was a grinding and buzzing as the gears meshed and the
aeroplane began to scud off.

"Fer all ther world like some big, pesky grasshopper," declared Mrs.
Beasley, as it scudded off across the smooth turf.

But if the good lady was astonished, then it was nothing to her amazement
when a moment later the Butterfly soared up into the air, lifting as
gently on the windless atmosphere as a bit of drifting gossamer.

Up and up it swept in graceful hawk-like circles.

"Dear Suz!" shrieked Mrs. Beasley presently, "if they ain't agoin' out
ter sea!"

"Just what they air," shouted her husband, shading his eyes with a
wrinkled hand. "I never thought ter have lived ter have seen such a
thing!"

Roy had been unable to resist the temptation to take a little spin out
above the glassy, scarcely heaving water. The gulls, soaring above it,
viewed with amazement the invasion of their realm by this buzzing, angry
looking monster. They flew about it shrieking.

"Goodness, I hope they don't attack us," exclaimed Peggy.

"Not likely," was Roy's response. "They think we are some kind of big
bird, I guess, and want to have a game with us."

As they swept on, all agreed that never had they felt such a f