And so Ralph allowed himself to be fastened in his seat alongside the
pilot, and gravely listened to the same instructions that had been
given to Bud, since much depended on his actions while navigating
the upper air currents.
He waved his hand to his chums as the monoplane started to race along
the level field, accumulating speed as it progressed, until presently
at a given point it pointed upwards and started on its air voyage.
Ralph was given about the same experience as Bud. Another little
volplane act was carried out for his especial benefit, so that he
might be able to boast of having experienced such a "stunt," a
favorite one among all aviators and not one-tenth as risky as it may
seem to the uninformed.
And now came Hugh's turn.
He fastened himself in, having taken pattern by what he had seen the
pilot do on the previous occasions; for a scout is expected to have
his eyes about him and to observe all that is going on, so that he
knows for himself and does not have to be shown.
Even this little act convinced the observant lieutenant that his first
conception of Hugh's character had been a true one. He realized just
why that boy had been chosen to serve as leader of his patrol, and in
the absence of both scout master and assistant, had more than once
been given full charge of the entire troop.
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