’I be goin’ t’ try another jump from that there ladder,’ returned Tom obstinately. ’You needn’t try no more if ye funks it! But when I starts out to do a thing I don’t like t’ be beat! Other people ’ere does it, so why shouldn’t we?’ ’Ay, but they l’arns it in their young days,’ said Bob. ’Theer ’s Mr Gerald—he’s gettin’ on fine! An’ Mr Jack, too, ain’t doin’ bad at it! He be a-practisin’ now just out yonder—t’other side that fence! There he goes now—a-soarin’ up in grand style! I ’d give ’alf me month’s wages t’ be able t’ go like that!’ ’It’s that puff o’ wind’s took ’old o’ ’im,’ Bob declared, as he watched Jack perform some rather curious aerial evolutions. ’Strikes me the wind’s got ’old of ’im, an ’e can’t ’elp ’isself! Yes! Look out fur ’im t’ stop ’im, Tom!’ Tom had just succeeded, at the moment this urgent warning was uttered, in again climbing laboriously up the ladder on to a narrow platform which had been erected as a ’jumping-off place’ for fliers. There were several of these platforms, of various heights, placed at intervals in some spacious fields laid out specially near the city of Ivenia, for the use of those who were learning to fly, or experimenting with small flying-machines. They might be likened to the diving-platforms, with ladders leading up to them, which are to be seen at some bathing-places. They were open to all, and were freely used by old and young—especially the latter. It was no uncommon sight to see numbers of boys and girls—some almost babies—fluttering about like so many large butterflies. This particular morning the two sailors were practising on their own account in one part, while Gerald and Jack were similarly engaged, not far away, under Alondra’s tuition. It was a windy day, with violent squalls at intervals, and lulls between. Just at the time Tom climbed to the platform there had arisen a very violent gust, which came sweeping across, bearing with it the figure of Jack, with large wings whirling about like the sails of a windmill. Whether he was purposely heading for the platform as a refuge to which he could cling, or whether the unexpected violence of the wind carried him there, it would be difficult to say. All that is certain about it is that he cannoned against Tom Clinch, and a moment later the two were gyrating and spinning in the air like a couple of gigantic bluebottles. Then, as though poor Bob Reid had not already enough bruises to attend to, the two descended like an avalanche plump on top of him. Finally, Gerald, who had followed Jack in his involuntary flight, sailed straight into the struggling group. Fortunately, at this point Alondra arrived. He had come after the two chums to render them his assistance, and was now able to help to disentangle them. ’One o’ my wings is broke!’ cried Tom, as he sat up and surveyed the wreck. ’I’m afraid both mine are,’ said Jack.