Below was spread the panorama of the countryside, patches of woods, fields, fenced pastures, and farmhouses. From that height they could see quite plainly the ruined bridge and the angry, turbulent waters of the swollen current that had washed it away. All at once the boys’ passengers had a fresh shock. Jack connected the engine with the propeller, and the Flying Road Racer began to forge ahead. Tom, simultaneously, released the clutch that held the rudder rigid while the Flying Road Racer was merely a land vehicle.
Soon they were flying above the swollen stream, and looking back they could see the road by which they had come, and the farmer’s mule kicking and plunging furiously at its halter rope.
“Poor Balaam! I misdoubt he’ll ever git over, this,” breathed Farmer Appleyard.
“Where is the doctor’s house? Can you see it?” demanded Jack presently.
“Yes. It’s that thar white place with the two big spruces in front. My, won’t he be astonished when he sees me comin’ ter summon him by ther sky route!”
“Is your wife very ill?” asked Tom, as Jack headed the Flying Road Racer for the house indicated by the farmer.
“Eh, young feller? My wife! Waal, she’s as well as I be, I guess.”
“But—but you said she was sick,” exclaimed Tom, wondering if the novel air ride had turned their passenger’s brain.
“What, I said my wife was sick?” demanded the farmer incredulously.
“Why, of course you did, and that you were going for the doctor.”
“Waal, so I am. Fer Dr. Bates, the best horse doctor round here.”
“A horse doctor!” gasped Tom, “but what about Betsy Jane, your——”
“Old gray mare. Ther pesky critter had ther colic, and——”
But a roar of laughter from Jack and Mr. Jesson, who had listened to the conversation, interrupted him. They were still laughing over their comical mistake when Jack brought the Flying Road Racer to the ground in a pasture at the back of Dr. Bates’ house. Sure enough, a sign on the front porch, which they had glimpsed as they descended, said:
And pretty soon out came Dr. Bates himself, his round red face a comical mixture of alarm and amazement at this unexpected apparition of the skies. Explanations were soon made, and the “vet” prevailed upon to return in the air ship to the spot where Farmer Appleyard had left his mule, the farmer promising to drive the horse doctor back by the lower bridge.