All right--outa the way!" Johnny ran back, away from the wing, and stood beside Mary V.He saw Bland turn his head and glance out along the right wing, then to the left.

He caught a sense of Bland's tightening nerves, a mental and muscular poising for the flight.

The thrumming jumped to a throbbing roar.

The plane ran forward like a plover, gathering speed as it went.
Fifty yards--a hundred--the little wheels left the sand, the tail sagged, the nose pointed slightly upward.

The throb accelerated as distance dimmed the roar, until once more the droning thrum dominated.
"Oh-h-h!" gasped Mary V, and caught Johnny's arm and gripped it.
Johnny did not hear, did not feel her fingers pressing hard upon his biceps.