We had a journey to-day that was simply glorious. We had been waiting totake it for more than a week. Rupert not only wanted the weathersuitable, but he had to wait till the new aeroplane came home. It ismore than twice as big as our biggest up to now. None of the otherscould take all the party which Rupert wanted to go. When he heard thatthe aero was coming from Whitby, where it was sent from Leeds, hedirected by cable that it should be unshipped at Otranto, whence he tookit here all by himself. I wanted to come with him, but he thought itbetter not. He says that Brindisi is too busy a place to keep anythingquiet--if not secret--and he wants to be very dark indeed about this, asit is worked by the new radium engine. Ever since they found radium inour own hills he has been obsessed by the idea of an aerial navy for ourprotection. And after to-day's experiences I think he is right. As hewanted to survey the whole country at a glimpse, so that the generalscheme of defence might be put in hand, we had to have an aero big enoughto take the party as well as fast enough to do it rapidly, and all atonce. We had, in addition to Rupert, my father, and myself, Sir Colinand Lord High Admiral Rooke (I do like to give that splendid old fellowhis full title!). The military and naval experts had with themscientific apparatus of various kinds, also cameras and range-finders, sothat they could mark their maps as they required. Rupert, of course,drove, and I acted as his assistant. Father, who has not yet becomeaccustomed to aerial travel, took a seat in the centre (which Rupert hadthoughtfully prepared for him), where there is very little motion. Imust say I was amazed to see the way that splendid old soldier Sir Colinbore himself. He had never been on an aeroplane before, but, all thesame, he was as calm as if he was on a rock. Height or motion did nottrouble him. Indeed, he seemed to _enjoy_ himself all the time. TheAdmiral is himself almost an expert, but in any case I am sure he wouldhave been unconcerned, just as he was in the _Crab_ as Rupert has toldme.
We left just after daylight, and ran down south. When we got to the eastof Ilsin, we kept slightly within the border-line, and went north or eastas it ran, making occasional loops inland over the mountains and backagain. When we got up to our farthest point north, we began to go muchslower. Sir Colin explained that for the rest all would be comparativelyplain-sailing in the way of defence; but that as any foreign Power otherthan the Turk must attack from seaward, he would like to examine theseaboard very carefully in conjunction with the Admiral, whose advice asto sea defence would be invaluable.
Rupert was fine. No one could help admiring him as he sat working hislever and making the great machine obey every touch. He was wrapped upin his work. I don't believe that whilst he was working he ever thoughtof even me. He _is_ splendid!
We got back just as the sun was dropping down over the CalabrianMountains. It is quite wonderful how the horizon changes when you aresailing away up high on an aeroplane. Rupert is going to teach me how tomanage one all by myself, and when I am fit he will give me one, which heis to have specially built for me.
I think I, too, have done some good work--at least, I have got some goodideas--from our journey to-day. Mine are not of war, but of peace, and Ithink I see a way by which we shall be able to develop our country in awonderful way. I shall talk the idea over with Rupert to-night, when weare alone. In the meantime Sir Colin and Admiral Rooke will think theirplans over individually, and to-morrow morning together. Then the nextday they, too, are to go over their idea with Rupert and my father, andsomething may be decided then.