CHAPTER XII
NEWS OF BROWN AND BLACK
"Well, it seems like old times," remarked Ned as he took an easychair in the living room, back of the pilot house, and watched Jerrymanipulating the various wheels and levers, as the big motorshipmounted upward on a long slant.
"Yes, we're under way again," agreed the tall lad. "I wonder what willhappen to us this trip?"
"What makes you think anything will happen?" asked Bob.
"Well it generally does, Chunky. Either we run over a spotted calf,or rip a cornice off a barn, or have a run-in with Noddy Nixon. Oh,there'll be something doing on this trip before it's over, mark mywords."
"I hope we're done with mix-ups and Noddy Nixon," came from Ned. "Morelikely we'll have one with those queer fellows we met at Freedon--Blackand Green."
"Black and Brown you mean," broke in Jerry. "What's the matter withyou; are you color blind?"
"That's right, it was Black and Brown," assented the merchant's son."Well, I hope if we do meet them, that they turn out to be 'white.'"
"Ha! Ha!" laughed Bob. "That's a joke--'white!' Oh my!"
"Glad _you_ aren't color blind, and can see it," said Jerry with asmile. "But what makes you think we'll meet them, Ned?"
"Oh, it's just a notion; that's all. But say, we're up high enough. Setthe automatic steering gear, and take it easy, can't you?"
"Guess I will," assented the tall youth. "There's no use wasting gas,"for in addition to mounting upward by means of the aeroplanes thelifting vapor was also in use.
For several hours our friends sailed slowly along, high above theearth. They were not running their machine to the limit of speed, forthough they could readily have made a quick trip to Colton, the placeof the meet, they preferred to take it easy, and avoid chances of abreakdown.
Promptly at noon--perhaps a little in advance of that hour--Bobannounced dinner, which he had been some time in preparing. His chumssaid it did him credit, and the manner in which they ate was additionaltestimony. Even Professor Snodgrass, who managed to tear himself awayfrom his specimens long enough to come to the table, condescended topass his plate for some more of the fried chicken. Bob had installeda small ice chest on the _Comet_, and victuals could be kept cold bymeans of ammonia vapors, so it was possible to serve fresh meats.
"We ought to be there pretty soon now," observed Jerry, toward theclose of the day. "I figure we'll just about get to Colton before dark."
"You engaged a hangar for us, didn't you?" inquired Ned.
"Sure. The secretary of the aeronautic association wrote me that he hadpicked out for us one of the best on the grounds. It's of heavy canvasover a wooden frame. They didn't have time to put up all wooden ones."
"Well, better speed up a little," suggested Bob. "We don't want to dropdown on a strange ground after dusk. Hit it up a little, Jerry."
The _Comet_ was soon scudding along at a faster clip, when suddenly alittle cry from Ned, who was in the pilot house brought Bob and Jerryto his side on the run.
"There's the place!" he cried, pointing ahead.
They could see a broad level plateau on which could be made out manytents and hangars, gay with flags and bunting, while here and there thegraceful biplanes or monoplanes were interspersed with the more bulkydirigible balloons.
"Say, there's a lot of 'em all right!" exclaimed Bob.
"Yes, I guess it's going to be a good meet," assented Jerry.
"You better make the landing," interposed Ned, motioning for the talllad to take the steering wheel. "You're more used to it than I am, andwe want to make a good impression."
"You fellows can do it as well as I," declared Jerry. "The only thingis that you lack confidence. You must get used to it. However, I'lltake her down this time."
He turned on a little more power and then, shutting off the gas hepicked out an unoccupied spot, and volplaned to earth with great skill,evoking applause from a crowd of aeronauts and spectators who crowdedout to witness the arrival of a new machine.
"Here safe," remarked Ned as he prepared to descend from the deck ofthe motorship.
"Look around and see if you can pick out Noddy's craft," advised Jerry.
"Or that of Brown and Black," added Bob.
But a first glance about the grounds did not disclose the biplaneseither of the bully, or the two odd men, and Jerry and his chums couldhave instantly discerned them had they been in sight, for they wereexperts in the matter of identifying aircraft.
"Glad to see you! Your hangar is right over this way, boys!" exclaimeda hearty voice, and looking up Jerry and his chums saw a small,pleasant-faced man making his way through the crowd toward them. "I'mMr. Nichols, secretary of the meet," he went on. "We're all ready foryou. My! That's a great machine you have!" and between shaking handswith our friends and the professor he gazed admiringly at the _Comet_.
Many willing hands aided the boys in rolling their machine over tothe big canvas shed that had been set apart for their use. They hadlanded not far from it. Of course Professor Snodgrass had disappearedthe instant earth was reached, but the boys saw him some distance off,eagerly peering about for specimens.
"He's at home all right," murmured Ned.
Our friends found their hangar well furnished for their use. They didnot need to take advantage of the cots and cooking arrangements thathad been put in, for their machine was as good as a hotel to them. Butnot every airship was thus completely fitted up.
"Well I'll leave you for a while," said Mr. Nichols at length, when hehad explained to the boys some of the details of the meet which was toopen officially in two days. "I'll see you later."
"Oh, by the way," began Jerry, "have you another craft here from ourcity--Cresville?"
"Yes, I believe there is an entrant from there," replied the secretary."It's a big biplane--a very good craft too. Run by a fellow namedDixon, I think."
"Isn't it Nixon?" asked Ned.
"You're right--I believe it is."
"Is he here now?" asked Bob.
"Well he was, but if I'm not mistaken I believe he and his partner--aMr. Apple I think it is----"
"I guess you mean Berry," interposed Bob.
"You're right, it is Berry. I am poor at remembering names. Nixon andBerry went out for a spin. They just got their machine together to-day."
"I'm glad we didn't take ours apart," spoke up Ned. "We saved a lot oftime."
"Have you any entrants named Brown or Black?" went on Jerry, who wassomewhat anxious for news of the two strange men.
"Hum! Brown and Black. Oh, yes, I remember now. They were here, withtheir machine, too, a big biplane named the _Silver Star_."
"That's it!" exclaimed Ned eagerly.
"But they left," went on the secretary. "They refused to comply withthe rules regarding the number of flights, and left in a huff. I don'tmuch care, as I didn't like their appearance. But I'm glad you boys arehere. You'll be a sort of drawing-card, as you have quite a reputationin aviation circles."
"Thanks!" said Jerry with a laugh, as the genial secretary withdrew.
"Well, we've got Noddy to reckon with, but not the others," remarkedNed, as they proceeded to wash up for supper, over which Bob wasalready busy in the galley.
"Yes, and Noddy's enough trouble at a time," spoke Jerry.
Ned had lathered himself well and was about to indulge in the luxury ofa splashing in the basin, when some shouts outside caused Jerry, whowas getting rid of his coat and vest, to rush from the hangar.
"I'll wager it's the professor in trouble over his bugs again,"ventured the merchant's son.
"No it isn't, it's a biplane coming down," called back Jerry. "It'sNoddy Nixon, too! And say, he's lost control of it! He almost turnedturtle then!"
Bob and Ned rushed outside the tent. In the gathering dusk they lookedup to where Jerry pointed and saw a big biplane coming down with arush, while two frightened figures clung to the seats, one endeavoringto bring up the head planes and avoid smashing to earth.
"They're in
a bad way!" murmured Jerry. "Their engine must have stoppedand they tried to volplane down. But their rudders won't work and----"
"They're going to smash as sure as fate!" burst out Ned. "I guess it'sall up with Noddy Nixon and Bill Berry!"