antee to safely land the fastest machine in
a five-acre field. You can, I am sure, imagine what a difference that
would make where forced landings are concerned!" Then rapidly sketching
in his notebook, he shows the Observer the following illustration:

[Illustration:
The Pilot's Aeroplane.
The Change of Design He Would Like.]

"That's very pretty," said the Observer, "but how about Mechanical
Difficulties, and Efficiency in respect of Flight? And, anyway, why
hasn't such an obvious thing been done already?"

"As regards the first part of your question I assure you that there's
nothing in it, and I'll prove it to you as follows----"

"Oh! That's all right, old chap. I'll take your word for it," hurriedly
replies the Observer, whose soul isn't tuned to a technical key.

"As regards the latter part of your inquiry," went on the Pilot, a
little nettled at having such a poor listener, "it's very simple.
Aeroplanes have 'just growed' like Topsy, and they consequently contain
this and many another relic of early day design when Aeroplanes were
more or less thrown together and anything was good enough that could
get off the ground."

"By Jove," interrupts the Observer, "I do believe the fog is lifting.
Hadn't we better get the engine and body covers off, just in case it's
really so?"

"I believe you're right. I am sure those hills over there could not be
seen a few minutes ago, and look--there's sunshine over there. We'd
better hurry up."

Ten minutes' hard work and the covers are off, neatly folded and stowed
aboard; the picketing wires are cast adrift, and the Pilot is once more
in his seat. The Aeroplane has been turned to face the other end of the
field, and, the Observer swinging round the propeller, the engine is
awake again and slowly ticking over. Quickly the Observer climbs into
his seat in front of the Pilot, and, the latter slightly opening the
throttle, the Aeroplane leisurely rolls over the ground towards the
other end of the field, from which the ascent will be made.

Arriving there the Pilot turns the Aeroplane in order to face the wind
and thus secure a quick "get-off." Then he opens the throttle fully and
the mighty voice of the Engine roars out "Now see me clear that hedge!"
and the Aeroplane races forward at its minimum angle of incidence. Tail
up, and with ever-increasing speed, it rushes towards the hedge under
the lee of which it has lately been at rest; and then, just as the
Observer invo