The Rover Boys in the Air | Page 3

to think running a
flying machine is a good deal harder than running an auto, or a motor
boat."
"Yes, I guess it is. Come on down and let us see how the engine works.
We can do that easily enough, for it's a good deal like the engine of an
auto, or a motor boat," went on Tom.
"Where is Sam?"
"He took the auto and went down to the Corners on an errand for Aunt
Martha. He said he'd be back as soon as possible. He's as crazy to get at

the biplane as either of us."
The two boys walked to where the biplane had been put together, in a
large open wagon shed attached to the rear of the big barn. The biplane
has a stretch from side to side of over thirty feet, and the shed had been
cleaned out from end to end to make room for it. There was a rudder in
front and another behind, and in the centre was a broad cane seat, with
a steering wheel, and several levers for controlling the craft. Back of
the seat was the engine, lightly built but powerful, and above was a
good-sized tank of gasoline. The framework of the biplane was of
bamboo, held together by stays of piano wire, and the planes
themselves were of canvas, especially prepared so as to be almost if not
quite air proof. All told, the machine was a fine one, thoroughly
up-to-date, and had cost considerable money.
"We'll have to get a name for this machine," remarked Tom. "Have you
any in mind?"
"Well, I--er--thought we might call her the--er----" And then his big
brother stopped short and grew slightly red in the face.
"I'll bet an apple you were going to say Dora," cried Tom quickly.
"Humph," murmured Dick. "Maybe you were going to suggest Nellie."
"No, I wasn't," returned Tom, and now he got a little red also. "If I did
that, Sam might come along and want to name it the Grace. We had
better give the girls' names a rest. Let's call her the Dartaway, that is, if
she really does dart away when she flies."
"All right, Tom; that's a first-class name," responded Dick. "And
Dartaway she shall become, if Sam is willing. Now then, we'll fill that
gasoline tank and let the engine warm up a bit. Probably it will need
some adjusting."
"Can we use the same gasoline as we use in the auto?"
"Yes, on ordinary occasions. In a race you can use a higher grade, so

that aviator said. But then you'll have to readjust the magneto and
carburetor."
"Gracious, Dick! You're not thinking of an air race already, are you!"
"Oh, no! But we might get in a race some day,--and such things are
good to know," answered Dick, as he walked off to the garage, where
there was a barrel of gasoline sunk in the ground, with a pipe
connection. He got out a five-gallon can and filled it, and then poured
the gasoline in the tank of the biplane.
"She'll hold more than that," said Tom, watching him. "Here, give me
the can and I'll fill the tank while we are at it. We'll want plenty of gas
when that aviator gets here."
In a few minutes more the gasoline tank was full, and then the two lads
busied themselves putting the engine in running order, and in filling up
the lubricating oil box. They also oiled up the working parts, and oiled
the propeller bearings and the steering gear.
"Now, I guess she is all ready to run," remarked Dick, at length. "My,
but isn't she a beauty, Tom! Just think of sailing around in her!"
"I'd like to go up right now!" answered the brother. "If only I knew
more about airships, hang me if I wouldn't try it!"
"Don't you dream of it, yet!" answered Dick. "We've got to learn the art
of it, just like a baby has got to learn to walk. If you went up now you'd
come down with a smash sure."
"Maybe I would," mused Tom. "Well, let us try the engine anyhow.
And maybe we can try the propellers," he added, with a longing glance
at the smooth, wooden blades.
"One thing at a time," answered Dick, with a laugh. "We'll try the
engine, but we'll have to tie the biplane fast, or else it may run into
something and get smashed."

"Let us run her out into the field first. It's too gloomy in the shed. I'll
hammer in some stakes and tie her."
The biplane rested on three small rubber-tired wheels, placed in the
form of a triangle. Thus it was an easy matter to roll the big machine
from the shed to the level field