The motor was a Curtiss 25-horsepower, with 1400 revolutions per minute, while the propellers6 were exact copies of Farman’s, with a spread of 7? feet. The guiding rudders were patterned after the well-tested form used by the Wrights—the forward or vertical7 one 15? feet long by 3 feet wide, while the two horizontal guides in the rear were 5? feet high by 1 foot wide. The entire length of the planes was 38 feet 4 inches, while the sections connecting the two planes were 6 feet deep and 5 feet high.
The rubber-faced silk plane surfaces were attached[178] in the manner of the Curtiss machine, stretched over laminated spruce ribs8, at intervals10 of a little over a foot and then wrapped around the front cross bars of the wing frames and kept taut11 at the rear by wire edgings drawn12 tight over each rib9 end.
Instead of landing and starting skids13 as used on the Wright machine, Type No. 1 carried a running gear of four light pneumatic tired wheels mounted in ordinary bicycle forks. A spoon brake applied14 by a bamboo plunger to the tire of the front wheels permitted quick stopping after alighting and held the machine for the start.
Thursday evening, Bob worked until a late hour, sending Gabe home for his supper, and awaiting his return. When the tired boy reached the hotel, he found a message that at once dispelled15 his fatigue—Captain Joe had reached port with the Three Sisters, and he had left word where he could be found.
When Bob left the hotel, he found Jerry Blossom anxiously pacing before the entrance awaiting him. The colored boy was so full of remarkable16 incidents and marvelous adventures that it was with difficulty that the white[179] boy calmed him into a clear account of the cruise.
The Three Sisters had made a safe voyage to the island, which it reached early Tuesday morning. After a half day’s reconnoitering, it had found a sheltered bay on the land side of the north key, and there, in a grove2 of cabbage palmettoes, a landing had been made and a camp located.
The camp was immediately marked by stripping a tall palmetto and attaching to its barren summit, the schooner17’s flag. The camp outfit18 having been disembarked, all had worked on the camp site during the day, and, leaving Mac in command, Captain Joe and Jerry had sailed for Tampa the next morning. On their way to the wharf19 and the schooner, Bob, in the midst of Jerry’s grandiloquent20 account of the beauties of Anclote Island, said to the colored boy:
“Well, Jerry, did you find it? Locate your buried treasure trees yet?”
“Look hyah, Mistah Bob,” answered Jerry, with sudden alarm, “yo’ know what Ah done gone an’ done? Ah’s had a piece o’ mighty21 bad luck. Ah cain’t fine mah papah no mo’.”
“You don’t mean to say you’ve lost the directions[180] for finding ole Black Pirate’s treasure box?” asked Bob in pretended alarm.
“No, sah, Mistah Bob. Ah ain’t los’ it. Ah’s too keerful o’ dat writin’ to los’ it. No, sah, not me. Somepin done come in de night an’ tooken dat paper. Yas, sah. I ain’t los’ it.”
“Can’t you remember what you wrote?” asked Bob threateningly.
“Sure, I kin22, mostly. But not prezactly. Pears to me now like it didn’t say no island at all. Mebbe if Ah has time to recomembah, Ah kin—”
“Look here, Jerry,” exclaimed Bob vigorously. “If you don’t recall those directions and take me where old Black Pirate told you he buried all his gold and silver and diamonds, you’re goin’ to walk back home—or swim. You’re lyin’ to me, Jerry.”
“Mistah, Bob,” cried Jerry in a sudden panic, “Ah cross mah heart Ah ain’t tell no story. Mah ma she don’t ’low me to tell no lies.”
“You wrote old Black Pirate’s directions on a piece of paper?”
“Yas, sah, Mistah Bob.”
“What kind of paper?”
“Jes’ reg’lah papah.”
Without relaxing his face in the least, Bob said:
“Jerry, I’ll give you till Saturday night to remember the directions or find the paper. If you can’t do either, we’ll leave you on the island when we go home.”
“Mistah Bob,” wailed23 Jerry, “yo’ don’ know how sorry Ah is ’bout dat papah. Mebbe de ole pirate wif de sword done change his min’ an’ sneak24 up on me and taken back what he tole.”
“Saturday night,” said Bob, sternly.
The two boys walked on in silence a moment. Finally the solemn Jerry, screwing his face into a look of pain, said:
“Mistah Bob, Ah’s feelin’ purty porely this evenin’. Ah got a kind o’ misery25 in mah back. Ah reckon Ah bes’ go git some med’cine.”
“Well?” said Bob, still keeping a straight face.
“Ah ain’t got no change. A reckon yo’ all couldn’t lend me fo’ bits till Ah gits to mah bank?”
“I reckon you’re right, Jerry. I could, but I won’t. You come on down to the schooner, and turn in, and your misery will be all right to-morrow.”
Bob found the taciturn Captain Joe enjoying[182] his pipe in the cockpit of the schooner, and silently watching an odorous coffee pot simmering on the charcoal26 brazier. With the weather beaten seaman27, he enjoyed an hour’s talk, and after a cup or two of Romano’s black beverage28, gave directions for the next day, and returned to his hotel.
That day and the day before, the merchant from whom Bob had rented the old factory had visited the scene of the setting up. It was probably from this source that news of the aeroplane leaked out. Anyway, when Bob returned to the hotel, he found a reporter awaiting him. Remembering the exaggeration of the Pensacola reporter, Bob resolved to give no excuse for guesswork, and told briefly29 what the club meant to do.
To Bob’s relief, the reporter told the truth in his next morning’s story. Like as not the mere30 fact that a real aeroplane was ready for flight in Tampa was enough of a sensation for the young journalist. It certainly brought a mob to the factory that day. When Bob arrived, Gabe was struggling valiantly31 to control the good-natured sight-seers. And the crush grew worse as the day advanced. Gabe was finally sent for police assistance, and by noon, the immediate[183] vicinity of the delicate airship was cleared.
Tom and Hal were due to arrive on the noon train that day. A little before that hour, Bob sent his few camp belongings32 down to the Three Sisters. Then, his mother accompanying him to the station in a carriage, the pretty well exhausted33 youngster awaited his fellow club members.
When the dust covered train drew into the station, a half hour late, Bob, worn out with the exertions34 and strain of the past five days, was sound asleep, his head on his mother’s shoulder. Jerry Blossom met Tom and Hal and piloted them through the hot sun to the carriage. Mrs. Balfour’s smile and raised finger suppressed the chatter35 of the newly arrived boys, and, with many whispers and chuckles36, piling their suit cases alongside the driver and mounting Jerry on top of the bags, the other boys quietly took seats in front of the unconscious Bob and his mother.
But the creaky old carriage had not progressed over a block when Bob roused himself with a snort. Then, even in the excitement of the greeting, the alert eyed Bob noticed that the carriage was bound cityward.
“We ought to be on the way to the cigar factory. Where are we going?” he exclaimed anxiously. “It’s nearly one o’clock.”
“To luncheon37, of course,” answered his mother. “You boys haven’t eaten, have you?”
They had not. Neither did they seem anxious to do so.
“Luncheon, your granny,” protested Bob. “Those who go on the aeroplane can eat with Mac in the camp at two o’clock. The fellow that stays is going to have crab38 gumbo with Captain Joe—that’s all figured out.”
“Who is to go?” asked Mrs. Balfour laughing. “I suppose you’ll insist on going,” she added, turning to her son.
“Oh, that’s all arranged,” interrupted Hal Burton. “My turn’ll come later. Bob’s the real works, and Tom is the understudy.”
“Yo’ ain’t objectin’ are you, Madam?” broke in Tom quickly.
“I gave up long ago,” answered Mrs. Balfour, with a half sigh and a half laugh. “But Bob had better hurry before the story printed this morning reaches Chicago. They always put in names, you know, and the newspapers up there are sure to call up Mr. Balfour and ask[185] if Bob is his son. You know what that will mean?”
“Turn around there,” ordered Bob, hanging out of the carriage and calling to the driver. “It’ll mean a telegram knocking everything into a cocked hat. That’s what comes of telling folks things.”
The appearance of the carriage at the old factory seemed instantly to augment39 the number of those lounging there. Mrs. Balfour and Tom and Hal were escorted to the waiting aeroplane for their first view of the marvelous machine. And Bob was certainly proud of his work.
Temporarily braced40 on planks41, the wide, fragile planes of the Anclote shimmered42 beneath the direct sun like the glisten43 of some great golden-brown beetle44. Its aluminum45 painted, spruce section uprights flashed in the sunlight, while the varnished46, polished blades of the propellers reached out like golden arms. For the benefit of his visitors, Bob nodded to Gabe, and the engine was set in motion. Its unconnected mechanism47 moved as if in a bath of oil. Even the powerful propellers were turned a few times, slowly. Then Mrs. Balfour was even persuaded to mount the aviator4’s chair for a moment.
“Take Mother back to the hotel, Hal,” exclaimed Bob, as he helped his parent to alight, “and then you and Jerry get busy. It’s moonlight to-night. You ought to get to the island by one o’clock. We’ll be waitin’ for you. You can go now, Mother,” added Bob, kissing her good bye. “I’ll see you in a week.”
“I’ll wait,” answered Mrs. Balfour with a half nervous smile. “I’ll see it through since I’ve let it go this far.”
With that, the three long restrained boys forgot the crowd. For ten minutes, Bob and Gabe rushed back and forth48 between the storeroom and the car. The gasoline reservoir was charged to the limit, and the extra tank made fast in the middle of the engine section. The engine was newly oiled, the magnetos tested, the rudder rods examined for the last time, and then Tom received his final instructions. At that, the supporting planks were withdrawn49 and the Anclote, poised50 on her starting wheels, was ready for its flight.
If those waiting with open mouths to see the ascent51 expected a ceremony, they were disappointed. The beginning of the flight was as simple as it was successful. As Bob set the motor in motion, he clamped the spoon brake on[187] the starting wheels. Then, as the clutch caught the big propellers and their arms began to revolve52, he gave a last glance at his mother, Hal and Jerry.
The propeller5 blades moved faster and faster. Even as Bob raised his cap, they seemed to spring to terrific speed. Pushing against the set starting wheels, the light framework suddenly shook and creaked, and, almost before Bob could realize it, the great planes twisted and fluttered as if striving to drag the car forward. Bob’s cap dropped from his hand, and, grasping the rudder levers, he shot his foot against the brake release.
Like a quail53 beating its wings against the ground as it rushes to its scared flight, the trembling aeroplane darted54 forward. The forward rudder was already set for the coming rise. As Bob threw this up, the skimming car seemed to slacken speed. If it really did so, it was but for a second. With a keener note in the whirr of the now almost invisible propeller, there was a farewell bump of the wheels on the slope, and then, like a flat skimming stone ducking over the water, the Anclote left the ground.
Once only did Bob falter56. In his inexperience, he had set the forward rudder too high.[188] Like a bird not yet under full momentum57, the aeroplane shook herself and stuck her nose skyward. As the nervous young aviator threw his rudder down, he did not check himself in time. There was one sickening dart55 toward the water of the Hillsborough River, the starting wheels spun58 backward with a splash of mist, the feet of both boys made one angry splash in the water, and then the worst was over. Gripping his levers and clenching59 his teeth, Bob righted the rudder, and, by the roar of cheers that rose behind him, he knew that he was ascending60 again, even before his increasing altitude showed it.
Until the fading aeroplane was only a speck61 in the northwest, Mrs. Balfour, Hal and Jerry stood, watching it in silence. At last, it was no longer visible, and Mrs. Balfour turned to leave.
“Mrs. Balfah,” said Jerry Blossom in a business-like voice, “Ah comed away in sich a hurry Ah done forgit to bring any change. Kin yo’ borrow me fo’ bits till Ah sees mah bankah?”
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1
groves
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| 树丛，小树林( grove的名词复数 ) | |
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grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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aviators
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| 飞机驾驶员，飞行员( aviator的名词复数 ) | |
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aviator
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| n.飞行家，飞行员 | |
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propeller
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| n.螺旋桨，推进器 | |
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propellers
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| n.螺旋桨，推进器( propeller的名词复数 ) | |
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7
vertical
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| adj.垂直的，顶点的，纵向的；n.垂直物，垂直的位置 | |
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ribs
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| n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 )；（船或屋顶等的）肋拱；肋骨状的东西；（织物的）凸条花纹 | |
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rib
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| n.肋骨，肋状物 | |
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intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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11
taut
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| adj.拉紧的，绷紧的，紧张的 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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13
skids
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| n.滑向一侧( skid的名词复数 )；滑道；滚道；制轮器v.（通常指车辆） 侧滑( skid的第三人称单数 )；打滑；滑行；（住在）贫民区 | |
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14
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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dispelled
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| v.驱散，赶跑( dispel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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schooner
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| n.纵帆船 | |
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outfit
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| n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装 | |
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wharf
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| n.码头，停泊处 | |
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grandiloquent
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| adj.夸张的 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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wailed
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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sneak
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| vt.潜行(隐藏,填石缝)；偷偷摸摸做；n.潜行；adj.暗中进行 | |
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misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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charcoal
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| n.炭，木炭，生物炭 | |
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seaman
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| n.海员，水手，水兵 | |
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beverage
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| n.(水，酒等之外的)饮料 | |
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briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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valiantly
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| adv.勇敢地，英勇地；雄赳赳 | |
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belongings
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| n.私人物品，私人财物 | |
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exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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chatter
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| vi.／n.喋喋不休；短促尖叫；(牙齿)打战 | |
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chuckles
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的名词复数 ) | |
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luncheon
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| n.午宴，午餐，便宴 | |
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38
crab
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| n.螃蟹，偏航，脾气乖戾的人，酸苹果；vi.捕蟹，偏航，发牢骚；vt.使偏航，发脾气 | |
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39
augment
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| vt.(使)增大，增加，增长，扩张 | |
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40
braced
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| adj.拉牢的v.支住( brace的过去式和过去分词 )；撑牢；使自己站稳；振作起来 | |
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41
planks
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| （厚）木板( plank的名词复数 )； 政纲条目，政策要点 | |
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42
shimmered
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| v.闪闪发光，发微光( shimmer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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43
glisten
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| vi.（光洁或湿润表面等）闪闪发光，闪闪发亮 | |
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44
beetle
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| n.甲虫，近视眼的人 | |
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45
aluminum
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| n.(aluminium)铝 | |
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46
varnished
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| 浸渍过的，涂漆的 | |
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47
mechanism
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| n.机械装置；机构，结构 | |
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48
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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49
withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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50
poised
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| a.摆好姿势不动的 | |
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51
ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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52
revolve
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| vi.(使)旋转；循环出现 | |
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53
quail
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| n.鹌鹑；vi.畏惧，颤抖 | |
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54
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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55
dart
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| v.猛冲，投掷；n.飞镖，猛冲 | |
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56
falter
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| vi.(嗓音)颤抖，结巴地说；犹豫；蹒跚 | |
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57
momentum
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| n.动力，冲力，势头；动量 | |
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58
spun
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| v.纺，杜撰，急转身 | |
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59
clenching
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的现在分词 ) | |
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60
ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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61
speck
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| n.微粒，小污点，小斑点 | |
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