"Oh, my, just to look at that!" gasped Minnie. "Just like a big bird!"
"Well, I'll be switched!" cried Mr. Sanderson. "An airship, sure as you are born! I didn't think I'd live to see one! My! my! just to see that thing a-sailin' through the air!"
Dick made the circuit of the field and then cut a figure eight. The machine seemed to work perfectly, and when he came down he was well satisfied.
"All aboard for Brill College!" he cried. "Through passage only! No stopovers allowed!"
"Shall we sail over now, or wait until to-morrow?" asked Sam.
"Oh, come on now!" cried Tom, impatiently. "Lots of fellows will be on the campus at this hour, and we can do some circling around before we land."
"I'm willing," said Dick. "Who is to do the steering?"
"You do it--you're the oldest," said Sam.
"I don't want all the glory," insisted Dick.
"You are not going to have," went on the fun-loving Rover. "See what I've got for Sam and myself." And he brought out a mysterious package he had brought from home. It contained two silken American flags and two tin horns.
"We'll do the patriotic while you run the machine," said Sam.
"And I've got something else--but never mind what it is," went on Tom.
"No fireworks, Tom--they are too dangerous in a flying machine," warned Dick, who knew his brother's love for things that made a noise.
"Nothing dangerous this time, Dick, I'll give you my word."
The _Dartaway_ was given another inspection and then staked to the ground with a strong rope, fastened by a slip knot. Then the engine was started up and the three lads clambered on board.
"Good bye!" they cried to the Sandersons.
"Good bye and good luck!" answered the farmer.
"Let us know how you arrive," added his daughter.
Then the knot in the rope was allowed to slide, and with a rush and a whizz the biplane sped over the smooth ground and then soared into the air. By the time Sam had hauled in the dangling rope, the flying machine had left the Sanderson farm far behind.
"Oh, this is simply glorious!" cried Tom. He had his flag in one hand and his horn in the other, and Sam was similarly equipped.
"Of course you know the way, Dick," said the youngest Rover.
"Oh, yes, it's easy. I'll simply follow the road. But I am going up a bit," added Dick. "I don't want to scare any horses, or we may have some damage suits to settle."