It seemed almost too good to be true that he was
actually going to be taken up in a Government war plane, and by so
skilful an aviator as Lieutenant Fosdick.
The army officer made sure to secure his young passenger with a safety
belt. He might scorn such devices himself, but there was always more
or less risk to an inexperienced air traveler, and he did not wish to
take unnecessary chances. This lad had folks at home to whom his life
must be very precious. He was only a boy, to be sure, but ere long
he would reach man's estate. And in this country of ours, who can
say what the future holds for any lad? Years ago, who among his
school companions on Mt. Auburn, in Cincinnati, would have dreamed
that in the course of time clumsy, good-natured Billy Taft would for
a period of four years occupy the Presidential chair at Washington,
and be looked upon as the foremost man in all the wide world?
Hugh and Ralph kept tabs of every little thing that was done. They
found themselves sharing Bud's enthusiasm for the subject of aviation,
and they, too, were promised a ride with the officer after his return.
At a given signal, the start was made. The big monoplane rushed along
the ground, wobbling somewhat because of inequalities in the surface
of the field.
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