by Roy Rockwood
CHAPTER V
THE BIG EVENT
Not a word was spoken by either Hiram or his passenger as the _Scout_took its average altitude. The former was busy at his post. As to theother, holding the sleeping child in his lap, he sat like oneentranced. The rescue from unfriendly hands, the odd situation in whichhe found himself, the novelty of a flight he had never beforeanticipated, fairly overcame him.
The able young pilot set out on a glide of easy progress. Then he hadtime to speak a few words to his fellow passenger.
“Comfortable?” he inquired.
“I could stay here forever!” ardently breathed, rather than spoke, theboy. “I never dreamed of such a wonderful thing as this airship. Oh,but you must know a lot, to be able to fly around up here in this way!”
“Huh! you’d ought to see what my chum, Dave Dashaway, can do,” vauntedthe loyal Hiram. “Well, we’ve got away from that old rascal back there,anyhow.”
“I hope I may never see him again,” replied the lad with a shudder. “Idon’t think I’ll ever forget what you’ve done for us in all ourtroubles.”
“What’s your idea now?” inquired Hiram in an off-handed way. “I supposeyou had some plan when you gave that old man the slip?”
“Well, yes, I had,” was the reply. “I was thinking of poor little Loisonly, though. I was trying to get to a place called Benham.”
“Where’s that?” asked Hiram.
“It’s about fifty miles from the town near the island where you cameacross me,” explained the boy. “I was making for the railroad when Mr.Dawson and the man with him came up with me. I thought if I could dothat, and get into an empty box car, or something like that, withlittle Lois, we might get a ride clear to Benham. Then I would knowwhat to do.”
“And what is that?” inquired Hiram, with interest.
“There’s a children’s home there. I’ve heard all about it. I don’t knowanybody there, but I’m sure they would take in Lois. If I can only gether in a safe, comfortable place for a time, I’ll soon find work, andearn a home for her,” he said eagerly.
“You’ve got some good ideas,” commented Hiram, “and I can see you areof the right sort. I’ll take you to Benham. I don’t exactly know whereit is, but it will not be hard to find out. You just forget all yourtroubles, and take it easy back there, and I’ll do the rest.”
After running about twenty miles, keeping well in line with the townsand settlements dotting the landscape beneath and ahead of them, Hiramdescended at the edge of a little village. He left his passenger incharge of the machine, and was gone about half an hour. When hereturned he brought with him a package of food and a bottle of milk.
The little child had awakened by this time. Her brother had evidentlymade her understand what had transpired, for she regarded the youngairman in a friendly, grateful way, and prattled out new thanks whenHiram invited her to the modest but appetizing meal he had provided.
“I’ve got our bearings now, and can get you to Benham straight as anarrow,” reported Hiram. “You didn’t tell me your name,” he added,looking his companion searchingly in the eyes, inviting his confidence,for he was curious to learn more about him.
His companion hesitated, flushed, and acted confused and undecided.Then he said frankly:
“I’ve often thought if I ever got free of Mr. Dawson that I would takea new name, and get thousands of miles away from him, so he could neverfind me again. I’ve got to tell you anything you want to know, though.My name is Bruce Beresford. My sister and I are orphans. That man,Dawson, has always had a legal hold on us, and he has treated uscruelly. I suppose there are hundreds of fellows in the world just asunfortunate as I am, but when you have a little sister like Lois tolook after, and protect——”
There the speaker broke down. Hiram was full of genuine pity for thetwo waifs. He, too, admired the fidelity of the thoughtful andaffectionate brother. He did not ask any more questions. It seemed tobe a simple case—two unprotected orphans cruelly treated by a heartlessguardian.
As they neared Benham Hiram landed at the edge of the place, so as notto attract undue attention to the biplane or his companions.
“I’m interested enough in you to wait here, and have you report how youget on with your arrangements about the little girl,” he said to BruceBeresford.
“You’re taking a heap of trouble for a stranger,” murmured hiscompanion.
“You’re no stranger,” declared Hiram. “I seem to have known you a longtime, although I’ve only been with you a couple of hours. I guess it’sbecause you’re square and honest. Go ahead, and good luck to you!”
The girl waved her thin little hand to Hiram until they were out ofsight. The young aviator then busied himself about the machine. He wasso engrossed in his task that he was not conscious of the flight oftime, when Bruce Beresford came running into sight with a radiant face.
“It’s all right,” he proclaimed. “They’ve taken in little Lois, just asif she was an own child. The matron kissed her, and cried over herbruises. Of course I didn’t tell them anything about Mr. Dawson byname. I’ve agreed to send the home ten dollars each month as soon as Iget work. Oh, what a relief! and how easy I can do it,” and the speakerthrew out his arms with a gesture that seemed to say he was ready forthe hardest work in the world if he could find it.
“I’ve been thinking about you,” said Hiram. “What’s the matter withyour coming with me? I’ve got a famous chum, and I’m sure he’ll take toyou. I’m certain, too, he can get you a place somewhere.”
“You’re awful kind,” responded Bruce, “but I would like to stay aroundBenham here until I see how Lois gets on. She might miss me. Dawsonmight trace us. I can get some odd jobs around town for a few weeks, Iam sure. Then, soon as I know Lois is safe and contented, I’ll branchout in a bigger city.”
“Well, you’ve got the right spirit,” encouraged Hiram. “I want you tokeep trace of us. Maybe we can help you out. You’ll always be able tolocate us through this address,” and Hiram gave his new friend a card,naming the present headquarters of himself and Dave. He could see thetears of gratitude and gladness shining in the eyes of Bruce as hesailed aloft.
“Glad I helped him,” soliloquized Hiram. “Poor fellow! And that tinylittle midget of a sister! And that big, mean old Dawson! I hope he gota good soaking! Hope I run across this Beresford boy again, too. He’sthe right sort!”
The young airman had put the _Scout_ away in the hangar in good order,after a careful clean up, and was ready to sit down on the bench out inthe open air, when Dave put in an appearance. Hiram was too full of hisrecent adventure to postpone its recital. His chum listened withinterest to its details. Hiram, however, made no mention of his “targetpractice.”
“There’s something here to interest you,” observed Dave, drawing abulky envelope from his pocket. “It’s the details of the Chicagocontest meet, that followed the invitation from the committee,” andHiram looked at the advertising literature with interest.
“Why, Dave,” he cried, glancing over the list of prizes offered, andthe programme outlined for a three days’ meet, “you surely won’t letthis slip by?”
“I wish very much to enter,” was the reply. “Of course, though, thatdepends on what Mr. Brackett says.”
Hiram showed his impatience and suspense.
“See here!” he cried, “you can’t wait on anything so indefinite as hiscoming here, maybe in a day; maybe in a week.”
“I don’t intend to wait,” remarked Dave. “In fact, I telegraphed himthis morning, after I had thought things over, giving him an idea ofthe importance and scope of the meet. Here’s his answer, which Ireceived not half an hour since.”
Hiram took the open telegram tendered by his chum. It read:
“Will be with you to-morrow morning.”
“Hurrah!” shouted the irrepressible Hiram, in his delight hopping fromone foot to the other. “Oh, Dave, I feel in my bones that you are going
to make the hit of your life!”
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