had been obtained, Tom, at a command from the aeronaut, pulled the
lever of the elevation rudder. Up into the air shot the nose of the
Red Cloud as the wind struck the slanting surface of the planes, and,
a moment later it was sailing high above the heads of the throng.

"That's the stuff!" cried Mr. Sharp. "It works as well that way as it
does with the gas!"

Higher and higher it went, and then, coming to a level keel, the craft
was sent here and there, darting about like a bird, and going about in
huge circles.

"Start the gas machine, and we'll come to rest in the air," said the
balloonist, and Tom did so. As the powerful vapor filled the container
the ship acquired a bouyancy, and there was no need of going at high
speed in order to sustain it. The propellers were stopped, and the Red
Cloud floated two thousand feet in the air, only a little distance
below some fleecy, white masses from which she took her name. The
demonstration was a great success. The gas was again allowed to
escape, the propellers set in motion, and purely as an aeroplane, the
ship was again sent forward. By means of the planes and rudders a
perfect landing was made in the meadow, a short distance from where
the start had been made. The crowd cheered the plucky youth and Mr.
Sharp.

"Now I'm ready to go on a long trip any time you are, Tom," said the
aeronaut that night.

"We'll fit up the car and get ready," agreed the `youth. "How about
you, dad?"