Then one of them will slip this harness about me--the harness
provided for timid riders--and I'll be off in the air--a prisoner!"
Collins and Yerkes tinkered about the aeroplane for some moments,
while Ned seemed to be studying the machine. The boy was anxious
for the decisive moment to come.
Finally Yerkes, went back to the porch and stood there in
conversation with the Indian for a number of minutes.
When he returned Collins stepped forward toward the seat.
Knowing that the time for action had come, Ned sprang into the
driver's seat. Collins looked vexed at the movement, but Ned
laughed down at him.
"I won't hurt your old machine," the boy said. "Get up here, so we
can see how it rides."
Collins obeyed, first giving Yerkes a significant look which was not
lost on the watchful boy.
The harness for the visitor's seat was a peculiar one, as Ned had
noted with considerable satisfaction. There were leather cuffs for
the wrists and a broad leg band which prevented the guest leaving
his seat. The cuffs held the hands close together in the lap, the
idea being to prevent a timid person from grasping the arm of the
driver in a moment of terror.
"Move on over!" Collins called, as he stepped up, "and I'll see if I
can take you out of the valley without breaking your neck.
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