A curious connection exists between the Roosevelt and the America. Not only had the Roosevelt relayed some of our radio messages, but Captain Fried of the America had formerly been skipper of the Roosevelt. It was Captain Fried who figured so finely in the heroic rescue of the sinking freighter Antinöe a couple of years ago. Captain Fried, I was told, is interested in trans-Atlantic flight projects. On the America he makes it a practice, when he knows a flight is in progress, to have painted periodically the ship’s position on the hatches in such a way that the information may be read by a plane passing overhead. On the day when we saw the America he had received no news of our flight so that preparations had not been made for the usual hatch-painting. Actually, however, if we had remained above the America perhaps a few more minutes the information we sought would have been painted on her decks, ending our uncertainties at once. As it was, Capt. Fried cabled us on board the Roosevelt that the operator had called “plane, plane”—not knowing our letters, in an effort to give us our bearings. But Bill could not pick up the word. When the Roosevelt reached quarantine in New York, she was held there several hours until the Mayor’s yacht Macon arrived with its officials, its bands, and our friends. I was sorry to delay other passengers in the Roosevelt who had breakfasted at six and who were forced to wait while we were welcomed. Then up the bay, to the City Hall and to the Biltmore. Interviews, photographs, and medals, and best of all, friends. We were home again, with one adventure behind and, as always in this life, others ahead. CHAPTER X AVIATION INVITES The reception given us—and accorded the flyers who preceded us—indicates, it seems to me, the increasing air-mindedness of America. And it is not only air-expeditions, pioneer explorations and “stunts” which command attention. The air mail, perhaps more than any other branch of aeronautics, has brought home to the average man realization of the possibilities of aviation. Its regularity and dependability are taken for granted by many. While our development of this phase of air transport is notable, the United States is somewhat backward in other branches, compared with the European nations. We lag behind the procession in passenger carrying and the number of privately owned planes, in proportion to our size. [Illustration: description: Photo full shot of sitting Earhart signing a book caption: LANDING AT BURRY PORT—THE UBIQUITOUS AUTOGRAPH SEEKER © _Wide World Photos_ ] [Illustration: description: Photo full shot of man helping Earhart off a boat caption: THE FIRST STEP IN ENGLAND. HUBERT SCOTT PAYNE HELPS ME ASHORE © _International Photos_ ]