u know it makes me think of something I heard over at
Bellville during county fair week!" burst out Ralph.

"Meaning an aeroplane?" declared Hugh.

"Just what it was, Hugh," returned Ralph. "But what would a flier
be doing away up here, going around and around in the dark of night?"

"I don't know, and that's all I can say," replied the other; "but
perhaps we may be able to find out. There it comes again, swinging
around in a circle. If we all look sharp, we may be able to glimpse
something up against the sky."

"My stars! An _aeroplane_!" Bud was muttering to himself, as he
hastened to follow his companions away from the door in order to have
a better range of observation. "Of all the things that we could meet
up here, an aeroplane! And me just pining away with yearning to see
one in action! Oh! don't I hope it turns out that way, though? Do
you see it yet, boys? When you do, please put me wise, won't you?"

All of them were straining their eyes to make a discovery, and as it
was possible to follow the course of the swiftly circling though as
yet unseen object by listening to the rattle of its engine or
propeller, they kept their attention directed to one particular quarter.

"Oh! I think I can see it now!" cried Bud excitedly.

"Yes, we all do," added Ralph.

They continued to stare up at the moving object, which, as seen in
that uncertain light, looked not unlike a monstrous bat with extended
wings. The sound of the busily working machinery grew louder
constantly. No wonder Bud had been so perplexed when he heard all
this, though more faintly, on the previous night and asked whether
it could be possible to catch the sound of the mills many miles away.

As the three scouts continued to stand there gaping at the dimly seen
flier, a sudden terrific crash and vivid flash almost stunned them.
Indeed, Bud crumpled up and might have fallen to the ground, only
that he came in contact with Hugh and received the support of his
firm footing.

The very ground shivered under them. It seemed as though some
subterranean mine must have been exploded, causing the rockribbed
earth to quiver in a sickening fashion.

When they dared look up again, the queer bat-like object had vanished
entirely from sight. Voices were heard, however, close at hand.
They told of more or less excitement; and coming with them was the
sound of one or more persons pushing recklessly through the thickets
that grew in many places as a