und I couldn't budge the rudders. Then I got
alarmed, thinking the machine might turn turtle on me, so I shut off the
engine, intending to glide to earth. But I didn't want to glide right
into the auto. Sam, it's a good thing you thought to run backwards. If
you hadn't there would have been a smash-up sure!"

"So dot is der new flying machine," remarked Hans, as he walked into the
field to inspect the _Dartaway_. "Mine gracious! she vos almost so pig
like a house!"

"Want to go up, Hansy, old boy?" queried Tom.

"Not for a dousand tollers, Dom! No, not for a million!"

"You'll like it, Hans, when you get used to it."

"No, sir; nixy!" returned the German youth firmly. "I sthay py der
ground on. You fellers can fly und I vatch you, yah!"

"How are you going to get the machine back?" asked Sam.

"Sail her back," answered his brother promptly. "But I'll have to look
at that steering apparatus first--and you'll have to help me start."

"Better let Captain Colby inspect it first," advised Sam.

But Tom did not want to wait, and so he and his brother looked over the
flying machine and soon found out what had gone wrong, and fixed it, so
that the same accident might not occur again. Then Tom got in, and Sam
and Hans started the propellers, and away sailed the youth in a manner
that made the German lad stare in amazement.

"Dot's fine!" was Hans's comment. "Say, Dom, he peen a regular
aviadventurer, hey?"

"What's that, Hans?"

"Dom, he peen a regular aviadventurer, or vot you call him?"

"Oh, you mean aviator."

"Yah, dot's him. He peen von sure!"

"Your word was O. K., Hans," was Sam's comment. "Tom is certainly an air
adventurer!"

The two boys got into the automobile once more and were soon at the
Rover homestead, where Hans was warmly greeted by the others, all but
Captain Colby knowing him well. Tom had already arrived and the captain
was inspecting the biplane with care.

"Such things will happen, especially with a new and stiff machine," said
the old aviator. "All you can do is to watch out, and look over the
machine with care every time you plan a flight."

Hans had much news of interest to tell about the boys who were still at
Putnam Hall and about Captain Putnam and George Strong, the head
teacher. He had also seen Mr. and Mrs. Laning, the parents of Nellie and
Grace, and had heard something of the latest trouble with Tad Sobber and
Josiah Crabtree.

"Vy ton't you got dem arrested?" he asked,