with accidents which only the skill and daring of the daring
aeronaut had brought to a safe conclusion.

"Well, are you coming, Rad?" asked Tom, as he looked to see if the
oil and gasoline tanks were filled, and gave a preliminary twirl to
the propeller.

"Now does yo' t'ink it am puffickly safe, Massa Tom?" and the
colored man looked nervously at the machine.

"Of course, Rad. Otherwise I wouldn't invite you. But I won't take
you far. I just want you to get used to it, and, once you have made
a flight, you'll want to make another."

"I don't nohow believe I will, Massa Tom, but as long as you have
axed me, an' as yo' say some of dem proud, stuck-up darkies in
Shopton will be tooken down a peg or two when de sees me, vhy, I
will go wif yo', Massa Tom."

"I thought you would. Now take your place in the little seat next to
where I'm going to sit. All start the engine and jump in. Now sit
perfectly still, and, whatever you do, don't jump out. The ground's
pretty hard this morning. There was a frost last night."

"I knows dere was, Massa Tom. Nope, I won't jump. I-I-Oh, golly,
Massa Tom! I guess I don't want to go-let me out!"

Eradicate, his heart growing fainter as the time of starting drew
nearer, made as if he would leave the monoplane, in which he had
taken his seat.