careful, and for mother not to worry about us. You know I always call
Aunt Laura mother, because she's been that ever since my own died years
ago. Will you do that, boys?" and Frank sitting there ready to start,
turned a smiling face upon his two friends. Even as they promised, the
aeroplane started off, and a minute later soared up in the air, like a
bird rejoicing at its freedom for leaving the earth behind.




CHAPTER VIII


JUST BELOW THE CLOUDS

"Good luck to you, boys!" came floating up from the ground, above the
buzzing of the busy little Kinkaid motor; and looking down, they could
see Larry, Elephant, yes, and the old veteran also, carrying on
excitedly, as they swung their hats around.

"Who're you waving your handkerchief to, Frank; does your best girl keep
her eyes on the skies all the day long, looking to see you come around?"
demanded Andy, humorously.

"Yes, that's my best girl, as sure as you live; and she's standing there
on the porch of our house right now, waving to me--Aunt Laura, who
thinks just as much of me as any mother could. But Andy, neither of us
said anything when Larry told about that hobo aviator named Casper Blue;
yet he answered the description the bank watchman gave of the smaller
man who had a stiff arm."