Jane and Sue. "I hear you won your wings last
night." It was Charlie Fischer, who had flown them from Chicago to
Omaha the night before.

"You mean we had them clipped and singed," retorted Jane.

Charlie climbed down from the cockpit.

"How's Slim Bollei?" he asked.

"Just a slight crack on his head," said Sue. "I hear that they select
men with hard heads for pilots."

"Ouch!" grinned Charlie. "I'm going to wear armor the next time I talk
to you."

"You needn't. I don't even bite."

The pilot turned to Miss Comstock.

"Get your cargo aboard," he said, "and we'll take off in about five
minutes. They routed me out at Omaha and started me west before I had
time to get anything to eat. We'll start as soon as I can rustle a cup
of coffee and a sandwich at the shanty across the road."

By this time the girls had become fairly well acquainted and already
little groups were being formed. Jane was pleased that Alice and Grace
had personalities that fitted in so smoothly with her own and Sue's.
There would be much to learn and much to do in the coming weeks and it
would be much pleasanter getting accustomed to the new environment if
friends were nearby.

The air was cool and sweet. The wind had subsided and there was no
trace of the terror it had wrought the night before as the girls took
their places and fastened the safety belts around their bodies.

Charlie Fischer, still munching a sandwich, hurried into the hangar,
signed the gas and oil record book, climbed into his cockpit and gunned
the motors. The big biplane rolled smoothly ahead, turned its nose into
the wind, and started climbing skyward. They were off on the last lap
of their trip to Cheyenne.

Chapter Nine

At Mrs. Murphy's

Jane had secretly wondered just how she would feel when the plane
soared into the sky. After the experience of the night before she
feared that a numbing fright might grip her and she was greatly
relieved when there was no feeling of apprehension.

Instead, she thoroughly enjoyed the smooth upward flight, the pulsating
power of the great motors, and the panorama unfolding beneath. She
turned to look at Sue. Her companion was gripping the arms of her chair
tightly, her eyes bright and staring straight ahead. When Jane started
to speak to her, she shook her head, but Jane watched Sue closely for
the next few minutes.

Gradually Sue relaxed and a little later she leaned over and spoke to
Jane.

"I was fighting down