pin than either of his
mates, for some reason or other.

And so Ralph allowed himself to be fastened in his seat alongside the
pilot, and gravely listened to the same instructions that had been
given to Bud, since much depended on his actions while navigating
the upper air currents.

He waved his hand to his chums as the monoplane started to race along
the level field, accumulating speed as it progressed, until presently
at a given point it pointed upwards and started on its air voyage.

Ralph was given about the same experience as Bud. Another little
volplane act was carried out for his especial benefit, so that he
might be able to boast of having experienced such a "stunt," a
favorite one among all aviators and not one-tenth as risky as it may
seem to the uninformed.

And now came Hugh's turn.

He fastened himself in, having taken pattern by what he had seen the
pilot do on the previous occasions; for a scout is expected to have
his eyes about him and to observe all that is going on, so that he
knows for himself and does not have to be shown.

Even this little act convinced the observant lieutenant that his first
conception of Hugh's character had been a true one. He realized just
why that boy had been chosen to serve as leader of his patrol, and in
the absence of both scout master and assistant, had more than once
been given full charge of the entire troop.

It was certainly a most exhilarating sensation to Hugh when he felt
the big war aeroplane start away from solid ground and begin to climb
upward. Looking down, he could see how fast they were really going.
Why, it seemed as though the earth could no longer be counted his
abiding place, but that he must be headed for the planet Mars, or
perhaps the moon.

The higher up they went, the more delightful the sensation became. Hugh
soon became used to the novel feeling, so that he could enjoy looking
down upon the country over which they were passing.

It was an experience that far excelled anything he had ever gone
through before. He told the pilot that he did not wonder men found it
hard to leave such a fascinating if dangerous business, when once they
had started to follow it.

"There is an old saying about politicians," remarked the lieutenant,
"to the effect that few die and none resign. That can never be said
about aviators, because, while none of them ever give it up for good,
the fatalities have been very numerous. But when that stability
de