And as soon as Peter Marley arrived this was done, and then the biplane was unfastened from the raft and rolled still further inland, to a level, grassy field belonging to a farm of the vicinity.
The boys were anxious to learn if the engine of the flying machine was in running order, and all set to work at once, drying and cleaning the parts.

Fortunately the gasoline tank had remained airtight.

While Tom looked over the spark plugs and Sam tried the oil feed, Dick adjusted the carburetor and magneto.
"Now I guess we can try it," said the eldest Rover boy, at last.

"But we'll tie her down first," he added, with a grin.
"Yes, and good and hard this time," added Tom.
"Rope her to the raft," suggested Sam.

"And drive a few stakes in the ground, too," and this was done.
It was a wonder that none of the propeller blades had been broken, yet such was a fact.