PREFACE
This story is complete in itself, but forms the sixth volume in a line issued under the general title of “Lakeport Series.”
In the first volume of this series, which was called “The Gun Club Boys of Lakeport,” I told how several lads organized their club and went forth in the winter time for some sport in the woods.
With the coming of summer the thoughts of these boys, and many of their friends, turned to baseball, and in the second volume, entitled “The Baseball Boys of Lakeport,” I gave the particulars of several contests on the diamond. Then came “The Boat Club Boys of Lakeport,” showing how the youths became the proud possessors of some first-class shells and other water craft, and how they rowed in several races and won them.
With the end of the summer came thoughts of other sports, and in “The Football Boys of Lakeport” were given the particulars of some hard-fought rivalries on the gridiron.
During all these days many of the boys had longed for a touring car in which to make a trip through the country surrounding their homes. At last came the opportunity to use a fine car, and in “The Automobile Boys of Lakeport” I have given the details of a trip that was full of mystery as well as excitement. Once the boys had to save the car from burning up, and another time some of their enemies ran away with the machine.
In the present volume some of the boys take up the art of aviation. A few learn how to manage biplanes and other flying machines; and the particulars are given of a thrilling flight through a thunderstorm, a grand long-distance race, and how one of the lads disappeared in a most unexpected fashion.
During the present summer I have been much interested in the efforts to conquer the air, and have witnessed the flights of many of our leading birdmen, and have examined with great interest the various machines used. As yet aviation seems to be in its infancy; but since man has at last learned how to fly, the working out of the details of the science seems to be only a question of time.
Edward Stratemeyer.
August 1, 1912.