In the second volume, “The Girl Aviators on Golden Wings,” a combination of strange circumstances took our friends out to the Great Alkali of the Nevada desert.  Here intrigues concerning a hidden gold mine provided much excitement and peril, and the girls proved that, after all, a fellow’s sisters can be splendid companions in fun and hardship.  An exciting race with an express train, and the adventure of the “Human Coyote,” provided stirring times in this story, which also related the queer antics of Professor Wandering William, an odd character indeed.  Space does not permit to relate their previous adventures in more detail, but in “The Girl Aviators’ Sky Cruise” still other interesting and unusual experiences are described,—­experiences that tested both themselves and their machines in endurance flights.

Of Roy and Peggy’s devoted friends, Jess and Jimsy Bancroft, it is enough to say that both were children of Mr. Bancroft, a wealthy banker, who had a palatial summer home near to the Prescotts’ less pretentious dwelling.  Since we last met Jess and Jimsy their father had allowed them to purchase an aeroplane known as the White Flier.  It was in this craft that Jimsy and Roy had flown over for mail when they made their entrance at the beginning of this chapter.  Of the letter they found awaiting them we already know.

Jolly, good-natured Bess Marshall had taken up aviation as a lark.  She was a typical specimen of an American girl.  Light-hearted, wholesome and devoted to all sorts of sports, tennis, swimming, golf, motoring and finally aviation had, in turn, claimed her attention.

And now, having introduced our heroes and heroines of the sky to those who have not already met them, we will proceed to see how Miss Prescott receives the startling plans that her young charges are about to lay before her.

CHAPTER II.

OFF ON THE FLIGHT.

“But, my dear children, do you realize what such a trip means?”

The gentle-voiced Miss Prescott leaned back in her easy-chair and gazed at Peggy and Roy with an approach to consternation.

“It means fun, adventure, and—­oh, everything!” cried Peggy, clapping her hands.

“You can’t have the heart to refuse us,” sighed Jess.

“If it were only the boys it might be different, but two young ladies—­” “Three,” corrected Bess.

“Three, then.  For three young ladies, supposedly of sound mind, to go flying across country like, like—­” “Butterflies,” struck in Jimsy.

“Wait a minute,” cried Jess, “there’d have to be four ladies—­” “Of course; a chaperon,” breathed Peggy, with a mischievous glance.

Miss Prescott dropped her knitting.

“Peggy Prescott, you mean me?”

“Of course; who else could go?”

“My dear child, do you actually contemplate taking me flying through the air at my time of life?”