THE BIG EVENT
Not a word was spoken by either Hiram or his passenger as the _Scout_
took its average altitude. The former was busy at his post. As to the
other, holding the sleeping child in his lap, he sat like one
entranced. The rescue from unfriendly hands, the odd situation in which
he found himself, the novelty of a flight he had never before
anticipated, fairly overcame him.
The able young pilot set out on a glide of easy progress. Then he had
time to speak a few words to his fellow passenger.
“Comfortable?” he inquired.
“I could stay here forever!” ardently breathed, rather than spoke, the
boy. “I never dreamed of such a wonderful thing as this airship. Oh,
but you must know a lot, to be able to fly around up here in this way!”
“Huh! you’d ought to see what my chum, Dave Dashaway, can do,” vaunted
the loyal Hiram. “Well, we’ve got away from that old rascal back there,
anyhow.”
“I hope I may never see him again,” replied the lad with a shudder. “I
don’t think I’ll ever forget what you’ve done for us in all our
troubles.”
“What’s your idea now?” inquired Hiram in an off-handed way. “I suppose
you had some plan when you gave that old man the slip?”
“Well, yes, I had,” was the reply. “I was thinking of poor little Lois
only, though. I was trying to get to a place called Benham.”
“Where’s that?” asked Hiram.
“It’s about fifty miles from the town near the island where you came
across me,” explained the boy. “I was making for the railroad when Mr.
Dawson and the man with him came up with me. I thought if I could do
that, and get into an empty box car, or something like that, with
little Lois, we might get a ride clear to Benham. Then I would know
what to do.”
“And what is that?” inquired Hiram, with interest.
“There’s a children’s home there. I’ve heard all about it. I don’t know
anybody there, but I’m sure they would take in Lois. If I can only get
her in a safe, comfortable place for a time, I’ll soon find work, and
earn a home for her,” he said eagerly.
“You’ve got some good ideas,” commented Hiram, “and I can see you are
of the right sort. I’ll take you to Benham. I don’t exactly know where
it is, but it will not be hard to find out. You just forget all your
troubles, and take it easy back there, and I’ll do the rest.”
After running about twenty miles, keeping well in line with the towns
and settlements dotting the landscape beneath and ahead of them, Hiram
descended at the edge of a little village. He left his passenger in
charge of the machine, and was gone about half an hour. When he
returned he brought with him a package of food and a bottle of milk.
The little child had awakened by this time. Her brother had evidently
made her understand what had transpired, for she regarded the young
airman in a friendly, grateful way, and prattled out new thanks when
Hiram invited her to the modest but appetizing meal he had provided.
“I’ve got our bearings now, and can get you to Benham straight as an
arrow,” reported Hiram. “You didn’t tell me your name,” he added,
looking his companion searchingly in the eyes, inviting his confidence,
for he was curious to learn more about him.
His companion hesitated, flushed, and acted confused and undecided.
Then he said frankly:
“I’ve often thought if I ever got free of Mr. Dawson that I would take
a new name, and get thousands of miles away from him, so he could never
find me again. I’ve got to tell you anything you want to know, though.
My name is Bruce Beresford. My sister and I are orphans. That man,
Dawson, has always had a legal hold on us, and he has treated us
cruelly. I suppose there are hundreds of fellows in the world just as
unfortunate as I am, but when you have a little sister like Lois to
look after, and protect——”
There the speaker broke down. Hiram was full of genuine pity for the
two waifs. He, too, admired the fidelity of the thoughtful and
affectionate brother. He did not ask any more questions. It seemed to
be a simple case—two unprotected orphans cruelly treated by a heartless
guardian.
As they neared Benham Hiram landed at the edge of the place, so as not
to attract undue attention to the biplane or his companions.
“I’m interested enough in you to wait here, and have you report how you
get on with your arrangements about the little girl,” he said to Bruce
Beresford.
“You’re taking a heap of trouble for a stranger,” murmured his
companion.
“You’re no stranger,” declared Hiram. “I seem to have known you a long
time, although I’ve only been with you a couple of hours. I guess it’s
because you’re square and honest. Go ahead, and good luck to you!”
The girl waved her thin little hand to Hiram until they were out of
sight. The young aviator then busied himself about the machine. He was
so engrossed in his task that he was not conscious of the flight of
time, when Bruce Beresford came running into sight with a radiant face.
“It’s all right,” he proclaimed. “They’ve taken in little Lois, just as
if she was an own child. The matron kissed her, and cried over her
bruises. Of course I didn’t tell them anything about Mr. Dawson by
name. I’ve agreed to send the home ten dollars each month as soon as I
get work. Oh, what a relief! and how easy I can do it,” and the speaker
threw out his arms with a gesture that seemed to say he was ready for
the hardest work in the world if he could find it.
“I’ve been thinking about you,” said Hiram. “What’s the matter with
your coming with me? I’ve got a famous chum, and I’m sure he’ll take to
you. I’m certain, too, he can get you a place somewhere.”
“You’re awful kind,” responded Bruce, “but I would like to stay around
Benham here until I see how Lois gets on. She might miss me. Dawson
might trace us. I can get some odd jobs around town for a few weeks, I
am sure. Then, soon as I know Lois is safe and contented, I’ll branch
out in a bigger city.”
“Well, you’ve got the right spirit,” encouraged Hiram. “I want you to
keep trace of us. Maybe we can help you out. You’ll always be able to
locate us through this address,” and Hiram gave his new friend a card,
naming the present headquarters of himself and Dave. He could see the
tears of gratitude and gladness shining in the eyes of Bruce as he
sailed aloft.
“Glad I helped him,” soliloquized Hiram. “Poor fellow! And that tiny
little midget of a sister! And that big, mean old Dawson! I hope he got
a good soaking! Hope I run across this Beresford boy again, too. He’s
the right sort!”
The young airman had put the _Scout_ away in the hangar in good order,
after a careful clean up, and was ready to sit down on the bench out in
the open air, when Dave put in an appearance. Hiram was too full of his
recent adventure to postpone its recital. His chum listened with
interest to its details. Hiram, however, made no mention of his “target
practice.”
“There’s something here to interest you,” observed Dave, drawing a
bulky envelope from his pocket. “It’s the details of the Chicago
contest meet, that followed the invitation from the committee,” and
Hiram looked at the advertising literature with interest.
“Why, Dave,” he cried, glancing over the list of prizes offered, and
the programme outlined for a three days’ meet, “you surely won’t let
this slip by?”
“I wish very much to enter,” was the reply. “Of course, though, that
depends on what Mr. Brackett says.”
Hiram showed his impatience and suspense.
“See here!” he cried, “you can’t wait on anything so indefinite as his
coming here, maybe in a day; maybe in a week.”
“I don’t intend to wait,” remarked Dave. “In fact, I telegraphed him
this morning, after I had thought things over, giving him an idea of
the importance and scope of the meet. Here’s his answer, which I
received not half an hour since.”
Hiram took the open telegram tendered by his chum. It read:
“Will be with you to-morrow morning.”
“Hurrah!” shouted the irrepressible Hiram, in his delight hopping from
one foot to the other. “Oh, Dave, I feel in my bones that you are going
to make the hit of your life!”
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