xperience in
handling it.

"I feared as much when I heard about it," his colleague admitted.
"But the boy certainly deserves encouragement. He has done wonders
in making that model, and it is built on right lines. Tell him to
keep at it and not get discouraged. If he does, he will surely arrive
some day."

"I'll do all I can to encourage him," the patrol leader of the Wolves
said in reply, though at the same time he felt sorry for Bud, who
would take his disappointment very much to heart. He might throw up
the whole business under the impression that there was no use in a
boy trying to pit his wits against those of veterans and expecting to
win out.

When Bud heard that he might accompany Lieutenant Fosdick on a short
flight in the upper air, he looked so happy that Hugh concluded to
postpone his discouraging disclosure until another time.

Bud was an animated interrogation point, when once seated in the
monoplane, which, having been built for hard service, was easily
capable of carrying even two passengers when necessary.

He wanted to know all about the various parts, which he examined with
trembling fingers. It seemed almost too good to be true that he was
actually going to be taken up in a Government war plane, and by so
skilful an aviator as Lieutenant Fosdick.

The army officer made sure to secure his young passenger with a safety
belt. He might scorn such devices himself, but there was always more
or less risk to an inexperienced air traveler, and he did not wish to
take unnecessary chances. This lad had folks at home to whom his life
must be very precious. He was only a boy, to be sure, but ere long
he would reach man's estate. And in this country of ours, who can
say what the future holds for any lad? Years ago, who among his
school companions on Mt. Auburn, in Cincinnati, would have dreamed
that in the course of time clumsy, good-natured Billy Taft would for
a period of four years occupy the Presidential chair at Washington,
and be looked upon as the foremost man in all the wide world?

Hugh and Ralph kept tabs of every little thing that was done. They
found themselves sharing Bud's enthusiasm for the subject of aviation,
and they, too, were promised a ride with the officer after his return.

At a given signal, the start was made. The big monoplane rushed along
the ground, wobbling somewhat because of inequalities in the surface
of the field. After it had gone a certain distance, it was