<h2 id='chap05'>CHAPTER V</h2>
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<div>THE BIG EVENT</div>
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<p class='c011'>Not a word was spoken by either Hiram or his
passenger as the <i>Scout</i> took its average altitude.
The former was busy at his post. As to the other,
holding the sleeping child in his lap, he sat like one
entranced. The rescue from unfriendly hands, the
odd situation in which he found himself, the novelty
of a flight he had never before anticipated, fairly
overcame him.</p>
<p>The able young pilot set out on a glide of easy
progress. Then he had time to speak a few words
to his fellow passenger.</p>
<p>“Comfortable?” he inquired.</p>
<p>“I could stay here forever!” ardently breathed,
rather than spoke, the boy. “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!”</p>
<p>“Huh! you’d ought to see what my chum, Dave
Dashaway, can do,” vaunted the loyal Hiram.
“Well, we’ve got away from that old rascal back
there, anyhow.”</p>
<p><span class="pagenum" title='38' id='Page_38'></span>“I hope I may never see him again,” replied the
lad with a shudder. “I don’t think I’ll ever forget
what you’ve done for us in all our troubles.”</p>
<p>“What’s your idea now?” inquired Hiram in an
off-handed way. “I suppose you had some plan
when you gave that old man the slip?”</p>
<p>“Well, yes, I had,” was the reply. “I was thinking
of poor little Lois only, though. I was trying to
get to a place called Benham.”</p>
<p>“Where’s that?” asked Hiram.</p>
<p>“It’s about fifty miles from the town near the
island where you came across 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 do that, and get into an empty
box car, or something like that, with little Lois, we
might get a ride clear to Benham. Then I would
know what to do.”</p>
<p>“And what is that?” inquired Hiram, with interest.</p>
<p>“There’s a children’s home there. I’ve heard all
about it. I don’t know anybody there, but I’m sure
they would take in Lois. If I can only get her in a
safe, comfortable place for a time, I’ll soon find
work, and earn a home for her,” he said eagerly.</p>
<p>“You’ve got some good ideas,” commented
Hiram, “and I can see you are of the right sort.
I’ll take you to Benham. I don’t exactly know
<span class="pagenum" title='39' id='Page_39'></span>where it is, but it will not be hard to find out. You
just forget all your troubles, and take it easy back
there, and I’ll do the rest.”</p>
<p>After running about twenty miles, keeping well
in line with the towns and settlements dotting the
landscape beneath and ahead of them, Hiram descended
at the edge of a little village. He left his
passenger in charge of the machine, and was gone
about half an hour. When he returned he brought
with him a package of food and a bottle of milk.</p>
<p>The little child had awakened by this time. Her
brother had evidently made her understand what
had transpired, for she regarded the young airman
in a friendly, grateful way, and prattled out new
thanks when Hiram invited her to the modest but
appetizing meal he had provided.</p>
<p>“I’ve got our bearings now, and can get you to
Benham straight as an arrow,” 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.</p>
<p>His companion hesitated, flushed, and acted confused
and undecided. Then he said frankly:</p>
<p>“I’ve often thought if I ever got free of Mr.
Dawson that I would take a new name, and get
thousands of miles away from him, so he could
never find me again. I’ve got to tell you anything
<span class="pagenum" title='40' id='Page_40'></span>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 us cruelly. I suppose there are
hundreds of fellows in the world just as unfortunate
as I am, but when you have a little sister like
Lois to look after, and protect——”</p>
<p>There the speaker broke down. Hiram was full
of genuine pity for the two waifs. He, too, admired
the fidelity of the thoughtful and affectionate
brother. He did not ask any more questions. It
seemed to be a simple case—two unprotected
orphans cruelly treated by a heartless guardian.</p>
<p>As they neared Benham Hiram landed at the
edge of the place, so as not to attract undue attention
to the biplane or his companions.</p>
<p>“I’m interested enough in you to wait here, and
have you report how you get on with your arrangements
about the little girl,” he said to Bruce
Beresford.</p>
<p>“You’re taking a heap of trouble for a stranger,”
murmured his companion.</p>
<p>“You’re no stranger,” declared Hiram. “I seem
to have known you a long time, although I’ve only
been with you a couple of hours. I guess it’s because
you’re square and honest. Go ahead, and
good luck to you!”</p>
<p><span class="pagenum" title='41' id='Page_41'></span>The girl waved her thin little hand to Hiram until
they were out of sight. The young aviator then
busied himself about the machine. He was so engrossed
in his task that he was not conscious of the
flight of time, when Bruce Beresford came running
into sight with a radiant face.</p>
<p>“It’s all right,” he proclaimed. “They’ve taken
in little Lois, just as if she was an own child. The
matron kissed her, and cried over her bruises. Of
course I didn’t tell them anything about Mr. Dawson
by name. I’ve agreed to send the home ten
dollars each month as soon as I get work. Oh,
what a relief! and how easy I can do it,” and the
speaker threw out his arms with a gesture that
seemed to say he was ready for the hardest work
in the world if he could find it.</p>
<p>“I’ve been thinking about you,” said Hiram.
“What’s the matter with your coming with me?
I’ve got a famous chum, and I’m sure he’ll take to
you. I’m certain, too, he can get you a place somewhere.”</p>
<p>“You’re awful kind,” responded Bruce, “but I
would like to stay around Benham here until I see
how Lois gets on. She might miss me. Dawson
might trace us. I can get some odd jobs around
town for a few weeks, I am sure. Then, soon as I
know Lois is safe and contented, I’ll branch out in a
bigger city.”</p>
<p><span class="pagenum" title='42' id='Page_42'></span>“Well, you’ve got the right spirit,” encouraged
Hiram. “I want you to keep trace of us. Maybe
we can help you out. You’ll always be able to locate
us through this address,” and Hiram gave his new
friend a card, naming the present headquarters of
himself and Dave. He could see the tears of gratitude
and gladness shining in the eyes of Bruce as he
sailed aloft.</p>
<p>“Glad I helped him,” soliloquized Hiram.
“Poor fellow! And that tiny little midget of a
sister! And that big, mean old Dawson! I hope
he got a good soaking! Hope I run across this
Beresford boy again, too. He’s the right sort!”</p>
<p>The young airman had put the <i>Scout</i> away in the
hangar in good order, after a careful clean up, and
was ready to sit down on the bench out in the open
air, when Dave put in an appearance. Hiram was
too full of his recent adventure to postpone its recital.
His chum listened with interest to its details.
Hiram, however, made no mention of his “target
practice.”</p>
<p>“There’s something here to interest you,” observed
Dave, drawing a bulky envelope from his
pocket. “It’s the details of the Chicago contest
meet, that followed the invitation from the committee,”
and Hiram looked at the advertising literature
with interest.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum" title='43' id='Page_43'></span>“Why, Dave,” he cried, glancing over the list of
prizes offered, and the programme outlined for a
three days’ meet, “you surely won’t let this slip
by?”</p>
<p>“I wish very much to enter,” was the reply.
“Of course, though, that depends on what Mr.
Brackett says.”</p>
<p>Hiram showed his impatience and suspense.</p>
<p>“See here!” he cried, “you can’t wait on anything
so indefinite as his coming here, maybe in a
day; maybe in a week.”</p>
<p>“I don’t intend to wait,” remarked Dave. “In
fact, I telegraphed him this morning, after I had
thought things over, giving him an idea of the importance
and scope of the meet. Here’s his answer,
which I received not half an hour since.”</p>
<p>Hiram took the open telegram tendered by his
chum. It read:</p>
<p>“Will be with you to-morrow morning.”</p>
<p>“Hurrah!” shouted the irrepressible Hiram, in
his delight hopping from one foot to the other.
“Oh, Dave, I feel in my bones that you are going
to make the hit of your life!”</p>
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