"Then we can
start for the interior, and try to pick a nice soft spot for landing
without getting all smashed up."
Later on he was reminded of that wish by Jack, for they certainly found
such a spot, as future events proved.
By climbing to a considerable height it was found that they could avoid
the uncomfortable experiences that had befallen them closer to the
surface of the ocean. Here the sun was shining, and while clouds floated
around them there was no longer a chance of the plane being inverted.
Jack could make out land at times, though still faintly seen, and lying
low on the uncertain horizon.
"I wonder if that can be Virginia I see?" he sometimes said; but talking
more to himself than trying to make the others hear.
"It isn't far away at most, Jack," Beverly assured him; for he
sympathized with Jack and the reason the other had for longing to get to
the home town ahead of his scheming cousin.
"Show me the chart and just about where we ought to be right now, Tom,"
said Jack. "That is, if it's no trouble."
"No trouble to do it," came the quick reply, and with a pencil Tom made a
cross on the chart while Jack's eyes danced with joy.
"Then that must be Virginia off there to the west!" he cried, again
snatching up the glasses for another earnest look.
Tom watched him out of the corner of his eye. Well did he know that as
Jack feasted his gaze upon the far distant land in imagination he was
seeing that dearly loved home, with the friends who were so precious to
him, and in fancy receiving their warm greetings.
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