"I hope Uncle Brian isn't putting all his eggs into one basket," he soliloquized. "By Jove! I'll try a little experiment on my own account. It will be rough luck on Uncle Brian if it comes off; but better now than later."
And with the new-born plan maturing in his active mind, Peter lay awake until pink hues in the eastern sky heralded the dawn of yet another strenuous day.
According to his resolve, Brian Strong tackled Jaurez, the chief aviator instructor, on the subject of his nephew's progress.
"He is a born bird-man, señor," replied Jaurez, with an admiration that even his secret contempt for Englishmen failed to suppress. "Reckless, _nombre de Dios!_ yes; but he can keep his head. In three days, perhaps, then he will be sufficiently expert to go up in control."
"For why, Señor Strong, does your nephew wish to fly?" he demanded. "Surely Rioguay can produce sufficient pilots without having to make use of Englishmen?"
"I won't dispute that, Señor Jaurez," rejoined Peter's uncle. "But it so happens that there are certain modifications in the design which I wish to test. My knowledge of the Rioguayan tongue is fair, as you know, but there are several technical terms of which I am ignorant. You can readily see that there would be difficulties innumerable if I had to discuss the improvements with a Rioguayan pilot."
Señor Jaurez grinned amicably. Previous experience had taught him that Brian Strong's assertion was a correct one. In the earlier stages of the El Toro experimental and constructive works the language difficulty had been a serious obstacle. He was a disciple of the doctrine "follow the line of least resistance".
Eight days later, Peter went up for the first time as sole pilot of that notorious flying-boat _El Boyeta_, but on this occasion he was accompanied by three Rioguayan airmen who were sufficiently "salted" to be immune from that distressing malady, air-sickness. Uncle Brian was nowhere to be seen. He had retired to his private experimental shed, having previously given Peter certain instructions.
According to the usual custom, Peter went on board to test the controls. He was rather a long time--not that the testing was a lengthy affair.
As soon as he gained the for'ard motor-room, he proceeded to enclose the magneto of each of the two for'ard motors with sheets of pure Para rubber, making a tight joint to each of the high tension and "earth" wires.