iece of mechanism was located at the carburetor, and was
called by Harry the "starting stove." Its office was to warm the
gasoline to such an extent that it would make vaporization much more
rapid than would ordinarily be the case. This would enable the aviator
to start his engine without the usual difficulty due to cold fuel.

Scarcely had the electric current warmed the carburetor sufficiently
before Jack returned, carrying a rifle, together with a quantity of
cartridges. These he bundled into the fuselage.

"All right, boys, get aboard and we will 'get out of town,' as that
Montana freight conductor used to say," urged Ned.

David climbed to a seat beside the steering levers, which were in Ned's
grasp. Harry found a place beside a quantity of canned goods.

"Beat it, Ned!" cried Jack from his position on the ground. "We're
just in time. Here come the German soldiers after us!"

It was even as the boy said. A detachment of soldiers, evidently
policing the town, had discovered the activity of the boys in the
vicinity of the giant aeroplane and were coming forward to investigate.

Ned stepped on the starting pedal energetically. Current from the
storage batteries flowed through the motor, saturating it almost
instantly. Ned's foot was pressed upon the cut-out lever, and the
resultant roar from the engines precluded absolutely the possibility of
further conversation. Like a thing of life the Eagle leaped forward.
Ned gave all his attention to the problem of steering.

In an ever-widening circle the Eagle rose above the open space upon
which it had rested. Ned lifted his foot from the cut-out lever,
throwing the exhaust from the engine through the specially designed
muffler, which was perhaps Harry's greatest pride.

The contrast between the clamor of a moment before and the comparative
quiet of the present instant was startling.

In astonishment at the results achieved, David glanced in wonderment
and amazement at the fabric which was bearing the boys aloft. Fully
able to appreciate superior mechanism, the boy was lost in his
examination of the delicate and yet effective machinery.

His glance of approval rested upon Ned and Harry in turn. He looked
about to give a friendly nod to Jack. Greatly to his surprise, Jack
was not to be seen anywhere in the fuselage. Startled greatly, he
turned toward Ned and laid a hand upon the boy's arm.

"Where's Jack?" he cried. "I don't see him anywhere!"

Ned