At the first opportunity they meant, if possible, to get the English guests in the Loon3 and then visit “Baldy’s Bench.”
Long before breakfast the next morning the Teton was the center of new activity. “Grizzly” Hosmer had one of his wagons4 at the car by breakfast time and the camp equipage and provisions were stowed away under his tarpaulin6. Guns and ammunition7 followed. After breakfast the second wagon5 arrived. In[189] this, gasoline and a?roplane extra parts were to be carried.
The Loon sections were then hauled from the baggage compartment8. A few cans of gasoline were stored in a shed near the depot9 to be available if it were found necessary to make a voyage back to Michel during the hunt. Just after breakfast Frank, Phil and Mr. Mackworth made an examination of Michel. Where the ground was level, switch tracks make it impossible to use the places for setting up the airship or for its running start.
“That’s one improvement that must be made in airships before they are completely practical,” said Mr. Mackworth.
“I don’t see why you say that,” exclaimed Frank. “You might as well say railroad engines are not perfect because you have to lay tracks for them.”
“Well, I would,” replied Mr. Mackworth, “if engineers claimed they could run engines anywhere.”
Disappointed over the situation the investigators10 turned back down the one street of the town. The country round about was not more[190] promising11 than the town; the mountain slope began on each side and, at each end, the little valley spread out at once in rough trails, rock covered undulations and jack12 pines. Suddenly Phil stopped and began laughing.
“I think we’re like the old woman who couldn’t find her spectacles because they were on her forehead. Here’s your startin’ place,” he exclaimed sinking his heel in the street.
“This is the public street and the only one,” said the surprised Frank.
“That’s why it’s just the thing,” answered Phil. “Look at it!”
“It’d do if it wasn’t the street,” said Frank.
“You say you could set up and start flying in the road?” broke in Mr. Mackworth.
“Sure, if they’d let us,” answered Frank.
“Hurry back and unload your apparatus13,” replied Mr. Mackworth. “I’ll see to the rest.”
“It’ll be just the thing,” insisted Phil. “I’d think they’d be glad to let us use it—just for the show.”
Mr. Mackworth waved the boys forward and, knowing that he usually got what he wanted, they started on a run for the car.
[191]
The business of Michel related mainly to mining. The houses were small and all faced the one street. Opposite the depot was the one hotel, two or three stores and half a dozen saloons. Several yards north of the hotel was a two-story frame building, the town hall. When Mr. Mackworth reached this, he stopped. In a half hour he was back at the car with the mayor of Michel, the hotelkeeper, and the principal storekeeper in his company. The town marshal was already at the car. The marshal and Mr. Mackworth’s other guests were ushered14 into the dining room of the Teton and for a quarter of an hour Jake Green was busy. Within an hour two ropes had been stretched across the street. On each hung this sign: “Take the back trail or hitch15. Airship goes up at four P. M. to-morrow.”
From the time the Loon crates16 began to be unloaded, the vicinity of the private car resembled a circus lot. More than once the town marshal had to clear the place of crowding spectators. Frank and Phil, stripped to their shirts, were busy and happy.
Loungers pulled down their hat brims or[192] sought the shade of the sidewalk awnings17. But Frank and Phil seemed to mind neither heat nor dust. Mr. Mackworth, Captain Ludington and Lord Pelton had put off their smart traveling clothes and were in camp togs—flannel shirts, khaki trousers and laced knee boots.
Hosmer and Sam Skinner worked over the wagon outfits18 until noon and then announced all ready. After a hasty luncheon19 the entire party, including Skinner and old “Grizzly,” gathered near the boys. Mr. Mackworth had found nothing missing and there was no need of a trip to Fernie. For a time this seemed fortunate for, much to their surprise, the boys found a defect in the apparatus that slowed them up considerably20.
The spruce upright holding the left landing wheel frame and its shock absorbing spring was discovered to have a fracture. This was the wheel that had caught in the tree the night the two boys made their perilous21 flight through the thunderstorm. The strain of packing or unpacking22 this part of the airship had developed a crack in the aluminum23 paint covering the upright. This indicated an interior fracture[193] and a new upright had to be fashioned. The village carpenter was found and, supplying him with extra spruce, Frank spent two hours in the old man’s shop contriving24 a new support.
In spite of this, a little before six o’clock the monoplane had been completely set up. Disconnected from its shaft25 the beautiful engine responded immediately when started. Then a new problem arose. The boys had no hesitation26 in leaving the airship out of doors at night—there was nothing that dew or rain could harm—but they were apprehensive27 as to what the curious townspeople might do. But this question was quickly solved. Sam Skinner asking only for his blanket and permission to smoke, offered to sleep in the airship, “which,” he remarked, “beats any sleepin’ car shelf I ever saw.”
The boys were tired. Neither their condition nor Jake’s dinner could restrain them, however, and before their elders had finished their coffee the lads were back at the airship. The temptation was too great; they meant to give the Loon a short trip out in mountain land.
The marshal was busy as usual. At sight of[194] him it occurred to Frank that an invitation to this official to have a ride in the Loon would be a proper return for the courtesies extended. The marshal not only refused but seemed afraid that he was about to be forced to accept the invitation.
Their own party finally appearing on the scene, each in turn was invited to make a flight. One after another had some excuse, Sam and “Grizzly” announcing simply that they were afraid.
Lord Pelton was the only one who had not been positive.
“My arm is pretty stiff,” explained Frank, “and I’m sure Phil wants company. It’s as safe for two as for one.”
“That may be,” responded Lord Pelton with a weak smile, “as safe for two as for one. What say, Captain?” he asked turning to Captain Ludington. The latter waved his hand as if in doubt. “I’ll go,” exclaimed Lord Pelton. “We came for sport and I might as well get my share of it.”
“I’ll be back in a few moments,” said Phil springing into the monoplane cabin. “I’ll just take a turn to the north to warm up.”
[195]
With Phil in the car arranging for his start, Frank stationed men at the rear and he and Jake Green took their places at the two propellers28. Turning the wheels off center Frank waited for Phil to start the engine and, with its first “chug,” he and Jake threw the propellers over. The engine responded to the cranking and the yellow blades flew into a whirr.
“Hold on, you fellows,” yelled Frank through his trumpeted29 hands to the men at the rear who were already on the ground with their heels set in the road, “and you fellows get to one side,” he called to the spectators including Mr. Mackworth and his friends, “she’ll throw the dust.”
This they had already discovered. Dirt and rubbish were shooting rearward like a sand blast. And it was a gale30 that had picked them up for, as Phil opened up the engine and the propellers reached a greater speed, the Loon trembled and pulled like a frightened horse. Suddenly Phil, in his seat, nodded his head.
“All back,” shouted Frank. “Let go,” he cried and the Michel men who had been acting31 as anchors fell backwards32 in the dirt, choked with dust.
[196]
The Loon darted33 down the empty street, springing a few feet in the air and then bumping the ground again, for about one hundred feet. Then, springing upward it did not touch again but went skimming above the street like the bird for which it was named. This only for a moment when, checking herself slightly under Phil’s movement of her planes and rudder, the monoplane began mounting.
“Certainly a beautiful sight,” exclaimed Captain Ludington.
As Phil drove the Loon skyward and the rays of the setting sun struck the monoplane high in the air, the yells gave place to “Oh’s” and “Ah’s.” The planes of the ship were aluminum in color, while the guiding rudders and the horizontal plane and tail were white. On each, the sun rays cast a different tint34 and it seemed as if some powerful golden searchlight had focussed itself to paint a picture on the deep sapphire35, cloudless sky.
As the Loon grew smaller, Mr. Mackworth asked how high it was.
“About 3,000 feet,” answered Frank.
“Three thousand feet!” exclaimed Lord Pelton.
[197]
“You’ll like it,” said Frank. “It’s a nice, safe height.”
Just then several hundred spectators saw the Loon veer36 off to the west, dip its plane downward and an instant later dash earthward in a series of spiral whirls. The men gasped37 and cried out but Frank only laughed.
“It’s only a quick descent,” he reassured38 his friends. “He’s all right.”
Almost as he spoke39, a thousand feet above the earth Phil, with a wider sweep, came on an even keel and then headed directly for the center of the town. A moment later the sound of the whirring propellers came within the hearing of the spellbound observers and then suddenly ceased.
“He’s gliding40 now without power,” exclaimed Frank, “stand back everybody.”
Just as the Loon seemed about to strike with a crash in the street far beyond the crowd, there was a jump upward, a new glide41 earthward, another tilt42 of the ship skyward and then, the speed of the monoplane almost checked, a new drop earthward and Phil skilfully43 landed fifty feet from where he started.
“Get out,” exclaimed Frank enthusiastically, “my arm feels better. All aboard, Lord Pelton. I’ll initiate44 you.”
As Phil climbed out the Englishman hesitated.
“Don’t let her get cool,” called out Phil. “All aboard.”
And almost before he knew it the Englishman had been helped aboard and into the seat just behind the new aviator45.
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1
ram
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| (random access memory)随机存取存储器 | |
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2
trophies
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| n.（为竞赛获胜者颁发的）奖品( trophy的名词复数 )；奖杯；（尤指狩猎或战争中获得的）纪念品；（用于比赛或赛跑名称）奖 | |
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3
loon
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| n.狂人 | |
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4
wagons
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| n.四轮的运货马车( wagon的名词复数 )；铁路货车；小手推车 | |
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5
wagon
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| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
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6
tarpaulin
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| n.涂油防水布，防水衣，防水帽 | |
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7
ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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8
compartment
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| n.卧车包房，隔间；分隔的空间 | |
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9
depot
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| n.仓库，储藏处；公共汽车站；火车站 | |
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10
investigators
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| n.调查者，审查者( investigator的名词复数 ) | |
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11
promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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12
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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13
apparatus
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| n.装置，器械；器具，设备 | |
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14
ushered
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| v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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15
hitch
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| v.免费搭(车旅行)；系住；急提；n.故障；急拉 | |
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16
crates
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| n. 板条箱, 篓子, 旧汽车 vt. 装进纸条箱 | |
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17
awnings
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| 篷帐布 | |
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18
outfits
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| n.全套装备( outfit的名词复数 )；一套服装；集体；组织v.装备，配置设备，供给服装( outfit的第三人称单数 ) | |
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19
luncheon
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| n.午宴，午餐，便宴 | |
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20
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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21
perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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22
unpacking
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| n.取出货物，拆包[箱]v.从（包裹等）中取出（所装的东西），打开行李取出( unpack的现在分词 )；拆包；解除…的负担；吐露（心事等） | |
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23
aluminum
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| n.(aluminium)铝 | |
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24
contriving
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| （不顾困难地）促成某事( contrive的现在分词 )； 巧妙地策划，精巧地制造（如机器）； 设法做到 | |
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25
shaft
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| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
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26
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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27
apprehensive
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| adj.担心的，恐惧的，善于领会的 | |
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28
propellers
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| n.螺旋桨，推进器( propeller的名词复数 ) | |
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29
trumpeted
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| 大声说出或宣告（trumpet的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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30
gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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31
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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32
backwards
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| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
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33
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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34
tint
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| n.淡色，浅色；染发剂；vt.着以淡淡的颜色 | |
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35
sapphire
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| n.青玉，蓝宝石；adj.天蓝色的 | |
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36
veer
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| vt.转向，顺时针转，改变；n.转向 | |
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37
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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38
reassured
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| adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词) | |
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39
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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40
gliding
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| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
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41
glide
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| n./v.溜，滑行；(时间)消逝 | |
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42
tilt
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| v.(使)倾侧；(使)倾斜；n.倾侧；倾斜 | |
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43
skilfully
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| adv. (美skillfully)熟练地 | |
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44
initiate
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| vt.开始，创始，发动；启蒙，使入门；引入 | |
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45
aviator
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| n.飞行家，飞行员 | |
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