I hope to have the
pleasure of saving your life," put in Roy, gallantly.

"Oh, Roy! I can ride in it now!" gasped Jess, while Peggy clasped her
hands and snuggled up close to her chum.

"Well, no, hardly just yet," laughed Roy, "but after Homer has tested her
thoroughly out I guess you girls can take a spin."

"You know I'm going to learn to handle one," declared Peggy, as Roy made
off once more. "I know a good deal about the theoretical part of it
already."

"Well, theory wouldn't do you much good in a mile-long tumble," quoth
Jess, sagely.

"Nonsense," rejoined Peggy. "Mr. Homer says one is as safe in an
aeroplane, if one is careful, as in an auto."

"Safer I guess, the way that brother of mine drives sometimes," replied
Jess. "He calls it 'burning up the road.' But--oh, look, they're casting
off, or whatever it is you do to an airship when you turn her loose. Oh!"

Snatching off her motoring bonnet Jess began waving it furiously. While
they had been talking the rope had been cast loose, and now, with Mr.
Homer himself at the driving wheel, in cap and goggles, the engine was
being started once more.

In wrapt excitement both girls stood breathless. So intent were they on
the scene transpiring before them that they had not noticed the approach
of a second auto on the road below. From it Fan Harding had alighted and
hastened up the hill, after "parking" his machine, as if in fear that he
would be too late to view the proceedings.

A sneering look was on his rather handsome face as he rapidly climbed the
hill. He reached a position behind the two girls just as the aviator gave
the signal to let go of the machine--to the rear structure of which Lem
Sidney and Jeff Stokes were perspiringly clinging, their heels digging
into the soft turf to steady themselves.

As Mr. Homer's hand swung backward and downward they let go. Instantly,
like an arrow from a bow, the monoplane--the work of Peggy and Roy--was
off. How it scudded across the hill top! Blue smoke and flame shot from
its exhaust. Its operator sat hunched over his machinery looking, with
his goggles, like some creature of the lower regions. Peggy clasped her
hands and stood a-tiptoe breathlessly as it scudded along.

"Oh, will it rise?" she breathed, her color coming and going in her
excitement.

"I'll bet ten dollars it won't fly any more than an earthworm."

Peggy turned swiftly, indignantly. Her color flamed and her eyes blazed
angrily. Jess, hardly