But David was far from dead.  He was only stunned and dizzy from the swift descent.  He had not been high enough from the ground when the accident occurred to sustain serious injuries.  They lifted him from the machine and laid him upon the grass, while Reddy ran to the brook and brought back his cap filled with water.

Mrs. Gray produced her smelling salts which she always carried with her.  “Not for my own use, my dears,” she always said, “but for the benefit of other people.”

Reddy loosened David’s collar and dashed the water into his face; while Hippy chafed unconscious boy’s wrists.

Presently David opened his eyes, looking vaguely about.  He had a confused idea that something had happened to him, but just what it was he could not think.  He looked up into the anxious faces of his friends who stood around him.  Then he remembered.

“I’m not hurt,” he said in a rather weak voice.  Then he sat up and smiled feebly at the company.  “I just had the wind knocked out of me.  I am sure no bones are broken.  How about my pet bird?  Has she smashed her little ribs?”

“No, old fellow,” exclaimed Hippy in a reassuring tone, for Hippy had never been able to endure the sight of suffering or disappointment.  “Her wings are a good deal battered, that’s all.  But are you all right, old man?” he added, feeling David’s arms and legs, and even putting an ear over his heart.

“It’s still beating, you foolish, old fat-head,” said David, patting his friend affectionately on the back.

In the meantime Anne had helped Mrs. Gray to her feet.

“I declare, I feel as though I had dropped from the clouds myself,” said the old lady, wiping her eyes.  “I am so stunned and bewildered.  David, my dear boy, if you had been seriously hurt I should never have forgiven myself for allowing you to fly off like that.  What would your poor mother say if she knew what had happened?”

“It won’t be necessary to break the news to her, Mrs. Gray,” said David.  “I shall be as good as new inside of a few minutes.  It’s my poor little bird here who has received the injuries.  Look at her poor battered wings!  I think I know just what caused my sudden descent though, and I’ll take care it doesn’t happen again.”

David then began a minute examination of his damaged pet, and soon located the trouble.  His friends listened, deeply interested, as he explained the principles of aviation, and showed them how he had carried out his own ideas in constructing his aeroplane.  Grace, who had a taste for mechanics, asked all sorts of questions, until Hippy asked her if she intended building an aeroplane of her own.

“I may,” replied Grace, laughing.  “You know that girls have as much chance at the big things of the world to-day, as boys.”

“Well, if you do, let me know,” responded Hippy, “and I’ll write an epic poem about you that will make the world sit up and take notice.”