“Listen to me, boys,” said their Uncle Sam. He was a bit annoyed and impatient; for he now had little time to spare for interruptions. [Illustration: FAST MAIL-CARRYING AEROPLANES WILL MAKE POSTAL DELIVERIES EVERYWHERE] “The greatest benefit from the ‘Conquest of the Air’ will come in times of peace. Before I go, I shall tell you boys a few of the peace-time uses of the land aeroplane, the hydroaeroplane or seaplane, the Zeppelin, the Blimp, the ordinary balloon—all the mechanical birds of Man’s inventive genius. Some of these uses you are already familiar with; some you and I will live to see; some won’t come to pass until we are in our graves. “The greatest aviation service will likely be transportation, both for business and pleasure. Aeroplanes and motor-driven balloons will rival steamships, trains, and automobiles as carriers of passengers, freight, and mail. There will be big aerial ocean liners plying over the Atlantic and, possibly, the wide Pacific. Fast mail-carrying aeroplanes, capable of a speed of two or more miles a minute, will make postal deliveries everywhere. Letters from New York will reach Chicago in a few hours. Private aeroplanes, darting here and there among the clouds, will be as numerous as the birds. Thousands of seaplanes will sail on and glide over our lakes, rivers, bays, and oceans. [Illustration: CAPRONI TRIPLANE CROSSING THE ALPS] “Aerial transportation is not just a thing of the future. It is already here. In May, 1918, regular aeroplane mail service was begun between New York City and Washington, D. C. Many men now have their own aeroplanes or seaplanes, and travel around in them as commonly as in an automobile. Two brave Italians flew, in a trifle over seven hours, from Turin, Italy, across the Alps and then to London—a distance of 650 miles. A gigantic aeroplane has been invented in Italy. It is called the Caproni Triplane, because a man named Caproni invented it, and because it bears three sets of planes or wings. It is able to travel a long distance and carry heavy loads. [Illustration: SHIP SAVED BY LIFE LINE THROWN FROM A RESCUE AIRSHIP] “Outside of transportation, there are and will be numerous other peace-time uses for aeroplanes and balloons. But I have time to tell about only two more—ship saving and aerial weather observation. Many a ship stranded on the rocks in a storm can be reached by a life line thrown from a rescue airship. An aviator high in the sky can find out weather conditions not known on the earth below. From his reports, we shall be able to make more accurate weather forecasts. “Well, boys,” said Uncle Sam, “my aviation story is over, and I must be on my way.” He gives each boy a warm handshake, and bids good-bye. He jumps into his aeroplane, and starts the motor. The propellers whirl. The noise of the motor is deafening. Finally, the big bird skims the ground and gracefully ascends. [Illustration]