Page:Bedford-Jones--Boy Scouts of the Air at Cape Peril.djvu/50

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The Boy Scouts of the Air

We have all three been up, which is an extra cinch on the aviation badge; we've all made models; we've got a good line on famous aviators and airships; and, as soon as Hardy gives us a little more dope on motors and ornithopters and those other opters, we'll be able to give points to the man who makes 'em, we will. And 1 can see that new badge right 'longside the other flock on my sleeve this minute."

Cat surveyed his comrades smilingly.

Hardy and Turner watched the lads' enthusiasm with happy smiles until what Hardy called the dinner "de Luke's" was announced. They all fell to with voracious appetites, even Cat finding himself able to sit down to it, despite his repeated conflicts with the motorcycle.

After the meal, a dip in the surf was voted by the boys as next in order, but the cautious Hardy directed that, although they might get into their trunks forthwith, on no condition were they to enter the water until their dinner was well on its way to digestion, and, besides, they were not to go in until he got there to superintend the job. These directions being acceded to, the lads shuffled off their scout outfits, slipped on