“Well, we are all proud of you,” she replied. “Dad says even Captain Fraine could not have done better. To tell you the truth, David, dad feels pretty glum about the way he butted in and ordered you to make altitude. He says that he had put you in charge, and that it was up to him to go by your judgment. And he says that it was lucky for us you dropped to a lower altitude when you did. It probably saved the ship. “And he says, as long as you did bring us through, he doesn’t regret meeting the storm one bit. It only proved the stability and strength of the dirigible. My! By the time those reporters get through writing it up, dirigibles are going to be the whole thing.” “Well, I’m glad the commander isn’t sore at me for using my own judgment,” said David, a relieved look on his face. “I just had to do it, Dulcie.” “He isn’t; and of course you had to, and he’s going to tell you so,” said Dulcie. “Oh, there comes the sun! Wonderful, isn’t it?” David turned to the window. Above, the leaden clouds were breaking up and turning to fleece—innocent, pretty masses that looked as though they had been assembled for purely decorative purposes. The first rays of the sun turned them faintly pink, and changed the leaden sea to silver. Just below them, a big liner, looking like a toy, nosed westward, and as Van Arden gently dropped the ship to a still lower level, the steamer sent three puffs of smoke from her funnels in greeting. No other craft was in sight. As the sun rose, the sparkle and brilliance increased. Already a dull smudge on the horizon revealed itself plainly as the eastern continent. They sped along at an altitude of one thousand feet. Someone opened a window, and the sweet clean air rushed through the salon. Dulcie buttoned her sweater, and sniffed the air appreciatively as she gazed. “Doesn’t it look happy?” she said. David, firmly but kindly escorted to his room by Mr. Hammond, slept for two blissful hours. Then he was awakened by his newly-acquired sense of responsibility, a sense ingrained in the minds of masters of all crafts, either of sea or air. He leaped up, perfectly refreshed, and ready for anything. Mr. Hammond was sitting by the window. “I wanted to see you as soon as you waked up, Ellison, so I came back here to get a little rest and quiet, myself. You can’t hear yourself think out there in the salon. All the passengers are telling their various experiences during the storm! “I have arranged to leave Captain Fraine and Lieutenant Florsheim at Friedrichshafen for hospital treatment. They are pretty sick men, Dr. Forsythe says. I had planned to take on someone there to fill Captain Fraine’s place but, David, I am convinced that you can do it. After your performance last night, I am positive that you are capable of handling any situation.” He rose, his kindly face beaming. “I congratulate you, Captain Ellison. It is a big job, but you will swing it!” He shook hands, and was gone. David stood staring into limitless space.