THE GIRL WITH THE AËROPLANE
The morning following Orissa Kane's arrival, which was the Saturday
preceding the meet, she went with her brother Stephen to his hangar,
which was located near the Glenn Curtiss aviation camp on a low bluff
overlooking the Pacific. There the two spent the entire forenoon in a
careful inspection of the new Hydro-Aircraft.
As she had told Madeline Dentry, the Flying Girl never wittingly took
chances in the dangerous profession she followed. The remarkable
success of her aërial performances was due to an exact knowledge of
every part of her aëroplane. She knew what each bolt and brace was for
and how much strain it would stand; she knew to a feather's weight
the opposition of the planes to the air, the number of revolutions to
drive the engine under all conditions and the freaks of the unreliable
atmospheric currents. And aside from this knowledge she had that prime
quality known as "the aviator's instinct"--the intuition what to do in
emergencies, and the coolness to do it promptly.
Stephen Kane, who adored his pretty little sister, had not the
slightest fear for her. As she had stood at his side during the
construction of his first successful aëroplane and learned such
mechanical principles of flying as he himself knew, he had no doubt
she could readily comprehend the adaptation he had made to convert his
Aircraft into the amphibious thing that could navigate air and water
alike.
"It seems to me quite perfect, Steve," was Orissa's final verdict.
"There is no question but the Hydro-Aircraft will prove more useful to
the world than any simple aëroplane. If we could carry gasoline enough,
I would venture across the Pacific in this contrivance. By the way,
what am I to do on Monday? Must I carry Sybil in any certain direction,
or for any given distance?"
"I'll let Chesty explain that," said Steve, turning to the youthful
press agent, who had just then entered the hangar in company with Mr.
Cumberford and Sybil.
"Why, er--er--a certain program has been announced, you know,"
explained Chesty Todd; "but that doesn't count, of course. We'll say
that owing to high winds, contrary air currents, or some other excuse,
you had to alter your plans. That'll satisfy the dear public, all
right."
Orissa frowned slightly.
"You mustn't compromise me in such ways, Mr. Todd," she exclaimed. "The
Kane-Cumberford Camp has the reputation of fulfilling its engagements
to the letter; but if you promise impossible things of course we cannot
do them."
The young man flushed. In the presence of Orissa Kane this big fellow
was as diffident as a schoolboy.
"I--I didn't think I promised too much," he stammered. "There are two
or three islands off this coast, known as the Coronado Islands. The big
one--you can see it plainly from here--is named Sealskin. No one knows
why. There are seals there, and they have skins. Perhaps that's the
reason. Or they may all be related, and the seals' kin play together on
the rocks."
"Be sensible, Chesty!" This from Mr. Cumberford, rather impatiently.
"I'm quite sensible of Miss Kane's annoyance," resumed Mr. Radley-Todd,
"but I hope she will find her task easy. She has merely to fly to
Sealskin Island, a dozen or fifteen miles--perhaps twenty--and
alight on the bosom of the blue Pacific. Mighty poetical in the
advertisements, eh? Then she'll ride back in motor boat fashion. When
she approaches the shore she is to mount into the air again, circle
around the hotel and land on the aviation field before the grand stand.
If any part of this program seems difficult, we can cut it out and tell
the reporters----"
"Steve," interrupted Orissa, "can I rise from the water into the air?"
"Of course. That's my pet invention. While skimming along the water you
lift this lever, free the propeller, then point your elevator and--up
you go!"
"Run out the machine. We will make a trial and you shall show me how
it is done. The rest of Chesty's program seems easy enough, and if I
master this little trick of rising from the water we will carry out our
contract to the letter."
"All right. Your costume is in that little dressing room in the corner,
Ris."
While his sister donned her short skirt, leggings and helmet, Stephen
Kane called his mechanicians and had the Hydro-Aircraft rolled out of
the hangar and headed toward the ocean. For himself, he merely put on a
sweater and his cap and visor, being ready long before Orissa appeared.
The inventor seldom flew his own craft, for an accidental fall had
lamed him so that he was not as expert an aviator as his sister had
proved to be. He was recovering from his hurt, however, and hoped the
injured leg would soon be good as new. Meantime Orissa was doing more
to render the Kane Aircraft famous than any man might have done.
A wire fence encircled the Kane-Cumberford Camp for some distance,
except on the ocean side, where the bluff protected it from invasion.
There was an entrance gate adjoining the beach road, and while the
assembled party awaited Orissa's appearance Steve noticed that a motor
car stopped at the gateway and a man and woman alighted and entered
the enclosure, leisurely approaching the spot where the Hydro-Aircraft
stood.
"Oh!" exclaimed Sybil, whose dark eyes were far-seeing; "it's that girl
who owns the yacht, Madeline what's-her-name."
"Dentry," said Steve. "I wonder if Orissa invited her here. Go and meet
them, Chesty, and find out."
Mr. Radley-Todd promptly unlimbered his long legs and advanced to meet
Madeline and Mr. Tupper. The press agent had an unlimited command of
language when driving his pen over paper, but was notably awkward in
expressing himself conversationally. He now stopped short before the
visitors, removed his hat and said:
"I--er--pardon me, but--er--was your appointment for this hour?"
"Is Miss Kane here, sir?" asked Madeline, unabashed.
"She is, Miss--er--er----"
"Dentry."
"Oh; thank you."
"Then I will see her," and she took a step forward. But Chesty Todd did
not move his huge bulk out of the way. So many curious and bold people
were prone to intrude on all aviators, and especially on Miss Kane,
that it was really necessary to deny them in a positive manner in order
to secure any privacy at all. The press agent, in his halting way,
tried to explain.
"We--er--Miss Kane--is about to--er--test the powers of our new
Hydro-Aircraft, and I regret to say that--er--er--the test is private,
you know."
"How fortunate that we came just now!" cried Madeline, eagerly, as
she flashed her most winning smile on the young man. "Please lead us
directly to Miss Kane, sir."
"Yes; of course; please lead us to Miss Kane," echoed Mr. Tupper
pompously.
Chesty succumbed and led them to the group surrounding the machine,
just as Orissa emerged from the hangar. Recognizing her recent
traveling companion, the Flying Girl ran up and greeted her cordially,
introducing her and Mr. Tupper to the others present.
"I'm going to try out our new Hy," she said, with a laugh. "'Hy,' you
must know, is my abbreviation of the Hydro-Aircraft--too long a word
altogether. If you will promise not to criticize us, in case we foozle,
you are welcome to watch our performance."
"That will be glorious," returned Madeline. "We have been to the bay
to inspect the _Salvador_, my new yacht, but being anxious to see your
new Aircraft and hoping to find you here, we ventured to stop for a few
minutes. Forgive us if we intruded."
She spoke so frankly and was so evidently unconscious of being
unwelcome that the entire group accepted her presence and that of her
uncle without murmur.
Steve took his place in the "Hy" and Orissa sat beside him.
The motor boat attachment, which took the place of the ordinary running
gear, was of sheet aluminum, as light and yet as strongly built as
was possible for a thing intended to be practical. Adjustable wheels,
which could be folded back when the boat was in the water, were placed
on either side, to give the craft a land start. The huge engine was
beautiful in appearance, while the planes--a crossed arrangement
peculiar to the Kane Aircraft--were immaculately white in their
graceful spread.
"This upper plane," said Steve, proud to explain the marvels of his
latest mechanical pet, "is so arranged that its position may be altered
by means of a lever. If you're on the water and want to save gasoline
you adjust the plane as a sail and let the wind drive you."
"Clever! Very clever, indeed," observed Mr. Tupper. "I had no idea
these flying machines had been improved so much since I last saw an
aviation meet, some six months ago."
"The art of flying is still in its infancy, sir," replied Mr.
Cumberford. "It is progressing with wonderful strides, however, and
young Kane is one of those remarkable geniuses who keep a pace ahead of
the procession."
Even as he spoke Steve started the engine, and as the first low rumble
of the propeller increased to a roar the machine darted forward, passed
the edge of the bluff and, rising slightly, sped over the placid waters
of the Pacific, straight out from shore.
He did not rise very high, but half a mile or so out the aviator
described a half-circle and then, as gracefully as a swan, sank to
the surface of the ocean. Instantly a white wake of foam appeared
at the rear of the boat, showing that the propeller was now churning
the water. And now, with speed that to the observers appeared almost
incredible, the Hydro-Aircraft approached the shore. A few yards from
the bluff it abruptly rose from the water, sailed above the heads of
the spectators, and after a circle of the field, came to a halt at
almost the exact spot from which it had started.
This remarkable performance had taken place in so brief a space of
time that those on the bluff had scarcely moved during the entire
period. They now hastened forward to congratulate the inventor. Mr.
Cumberford's grim features were for once wreathed in smiles; Chesty
Todd capered like a schoolboy and flung his hat into the air as he
yelled "Hooray!" while Sybil impulsively grasped Steve's hand in both
of her own. As for Madeline Dentry, she eyed the young man wonderingly,
asking herself if the marvel she seemed to have witnessed had actually
occurred.
"Do you know," said Mr. Tupper, his voice trembling with excitement, "I
wouldn't much mind a ride like that myself!"
Orissa was much pleased with this successful test of the new machine's
powers. As the men wheeled the Hydro-Aircraft back to its hangar she
turned to Chesty and said:
"I forgive you, sir. Really, you were too modest in your promises.
Sybil and I will carry out your program to the entire satisfaction of
the management and the public, I am positive."
"I can hardly wait for Monday, Ris," exclaimed Sybil. "If father wasn't
so afraid, I would learn to navigate the Hy myself."
"Ah, you interest me, my dear," returned her father, blandly; "you do,
really. But as your talents will never enable you to rival Orissa it
will be well for you to curb your ambitions. I've conceded a lot, to
allow you to go with her on that long jaunt Monday."
"You have, indeed," laughed Orissa. "But Sybil and I will have a real
joy ride, and be perfectly safe in the bargain. How long a time will
the trip take us, Steve?"
"Oh, a couple of hours, or so; it will depend on whether the current is
favorable to your paddling back. In the air you can do forty miles an
hour, easily."
"We will take some lunch with us," said Sybil. "Don't forget to order
it, Daddy."
Mr. Cumberford nodded. Unimpressionable as this strange man seemed,
his daughter was verily the "apple of his eye" and he was not likely
to forget anything that might add to her comfort. Sybil's desire to
aviate had been a constant source of disturbance to her father. He
had worried a good deal over Orissa, during her first attempts to
fly, but was now convinced of the girl's capability and, although he
exhibited nervousness every time she gave one of her exhibitions, he
had by degrees acquired supreme confidence in her skill. Still, being
thoroughly experienced in all aviation matters, through his connection
with the Kane Aircraft, Mr. Cumberford realized that flying is always
accompanied by danger, and whenever an aviator met with an accident
on the field he was wont to inform Sybil that on no account could she
ever accompany Orissa again in a flight. He would even urge Orissa
to abandon the dangerous work; but she answered him gravely: "This
accident, as well as all others I ever heard of, was the result of
carelessness and inexperience. The more flights I make the less liable
am I to encounter accident. Perhaps I realize better than you do, Mr.
Cumberford, the elements of danger, and that is the reason I am so
careful to avoid every hazard."
Flying was an intoxication to Sybil. She never had enough of it and
always complained to Orissa that their flights were of too short
duration. Each time she was obliged to plead and argue with her
father for days, before obtaining his consent to let her go, and even
now, when he had given his reluctant permission to Chesty Todd to
advertise Sybil as the companion of the Flying Girl, he was frequently
impelled to forbid the adventure. His only consolation was that the new
invention seemed very safe and practical, and with Orissa's guiding
hands at the levers his beloved daughter would be as well guarded as
possible under such conditions.
As a matter of fact, protests from Mr. Cumberford had little value,
as Sybil possessed a knack of getting her own way under any and all
circumstances. She had really no great desire to operate an aëroplane
herself, being quite content to remain a passenger and enjoy the
freedom of riding, untrammeled by the necessity of being alert every
instant to control the machine.
Orissa, excusing herself, retired to the hangar to change her costume,
and the young inventor was left to listen to the enthusiastic comments
of his friends.
"When will your Hydro-Aircraft be on the market, Mr. Kane?" asked
Madeline.
"In the course of the next three months we expect to complete two other
machines," he replied.
"I want one of them," she said quickly. "Will you teach me how to
operate it?"
"Of course," he answered. "That is part of the bargain. But you have
not asked the price, and for all business transactions I must refer you
to Mr. Cumberford."
"Madeline, my dear! My dear Madeline!" protested Mr. Tupper; "what in
the world are you thinking of?"
"That I would give Mr. Cumberford a check at once," she calmly answered.
"But I--we--that is, I can't permit it; I--I really can't allow it,
my dear!" asserted the gentleman, evidently alarmed by her positive
attitude.
Madeline's slight form stiffened and her eyes flashed defiantly.
"Mr. Tupper," said she to her uncle, "do I employ you to advise me, or
to manage my business affairs?"
That he was greatly humiliated by this attack was evident. His face
grew red and he half turned away, hesitating to make reply. Then Mr.
Cumberford came to Mr. Tupper's assistance.
"Your--eh--friend--is quite right, Miss Dentry; quite right to oppose
your--eh--reckless impulse, if I may put it that way. Your enthusiasm
interests me; it--eh--interests me greatly; but for your own welfare
and the comfort of mind of your friends, I should advise you
to--eh--curb your adventurous spirit, for the present. You have what
is known as the 'Flying Fever,' which attacks the most conservative
people when on the aviation field. Let it alone and it will dissipate,
in time; but if you nurse it you--eh--buy a flying machine and become a
slave. We have machines to sell, you know; we are anxious to dispose of
all we can; but kindly keep your check for three months, and if at the
end of that time you are still disposed to purchase, I will deliver the
machine to you promptly."
"How can you do that? The demand will be greater than your ability to
build the Hydro-Aircraft, after the exhibition of next Monday," she
affirmed.
Mr. Cumberford regarded her thoughtfully.
"I believe you are right," said he. "Anyhow, I hope you are right. But
I'll promise to reserve a machine, pending your decision. Young ladies
who are seriously determined to become aviators and who--eh--have the
means to indulge the fad to any extent, are rare; very rare. Therefore,
my dear Miss Dentry, you--eh--interest me, and I'll keep my promise."
Madeline could not refuse to admit the fairness of Mr. Cumberford's
proposition, and Mr. Tupper was grateful to him for his efficient
support, so harmony was once more restored. Sybil, indeed, smiled
derisively as she exchanged a meaning glance with Madeline--a glance
that said as intelligently as words: "How clever these men think
themselves, and how helpless they really are to oppose us!"
Then Miss Dentry invited them all, including Chesty Todd, to dine on
board her yacht the next day, which was Sunday, and the invitation
being promptly accepted they all motored back to the hotel.