nubble boys were delighted to think they could see the _Dartaway_
fly and they assisted the others in making the necessary repairs. For
two hours all were very busy and then Captain Colby announced the
biplane in as good a condition as before the wild flight.

"Now I'll give her a short try-out," he said, and this was done. Up into
the air mounted the _Dartaway_ as gracefully as a bird, and all of the
boys clapped their hands in delight.

"By gum! beats the nation!" said one of the Snubble lads.

"It's grand! I'm going to save up for one!" added the other.

Around the field sailed Captain Colby and then made the figure eight
three times. Then he came down near the spot from which he had started.

"Couldn't be better," he declared. "I could take her a hundred miles if
I wished."

"Wish I could go up," said Sam wistfully.

"Your time will come pretty soon," added the aviator. "The flight to
your home will be a good test."

A little later the aviator arose again in the air, this time headed for
Valley Brook farm. The boys were also ready and started off immediately
in the automobile.

"Come again!" shouted the Snubble boys.

"We will," answered Dick. "Your field makes a dandy landing place."

Dick ran the automobile and put on good speed all the way home. As they
went along they watched the flight of the biplane, but soon the machine
passed from view.

"She certainly can sail!" cried Tom. "Oh, Dick, we'll have to take her
to Brill with us!"

"That's it!" cried Sam. "What's the use of leaving her behind? We can
sail after college hours."

"Yes, and think how quickly we could get over to Hope Seminary," went
on Tom. The place he mentioned was a young ladies' boarding school
located not many miles from Brill. Dora Stanhope went to Hope, and so
did the two Laning girls.

"We'll see about it," replied Dick, briefly. But the idea of taking the
flying machine to Brill pleased him as much as it did his brothers.

When they got home they found that Captain Colby had already arrived. He
and the _Dartaway_ were in the field back of the barn, and surrounding
the aviator were all the members of the Rover household.

"Well, boys, got back, eh?" cried Anderson Rover, as they rolled up in
the automobile.

"Hello, dad!" came from all three. And then they leaped to the ground to
greet their parent. All could not help but notice that he looked a
trifle pale and careworn.

"Was your trip a success?" asked Dick, in a lo