TEUTA SENT LEGER’S DIARY.

August 19, 1907.

We had a journey to-day that was simply glorious.  We had been waiting to take it for more than a week.  Rupert not only wanted the weather suitable, but he had to wait till the new aeroplane came home.  It is more than twice as big as our biggest up to now.  None of the others could take all the party which Rupert wanted to go.  When he heard that the aero was coming from Whitby, where it was sent from Leeds, he directed by cable that it should be unshipped at Otranto, whence he took it here all by himself.  I wanted to come with him, but he thought it better not.  He says that Brindisi is too busy a place to keep anything quiet—if not secret—and he wants to be very dark indeed about this, as it is worked by the new radium engine.  Ever since they found radium in our own hills he has been obsessed by the idea of an aerial navy for our protection.  And after to-day’s experiences I think he is right.  As he wanted to survey the whole country at a glimpse, so that the general scheme of defence might be put in hand, we had to have an aero big enough to take the party as well as fast enough to do it rapidly, and all at once.  We had, in addition to Rupert, my father, and myself, Sir Colin and Lord High Admiral Rooke (I do like to give that splendid old fellow his full title!).  The military and naval experts had with them scientific apparatus of various kinds, also cameras and range-finders, so that they could mark their maps as they required.  Rupert, of course, drove, and I acted as his assistant.  Father, who has not yet become accustomed to aerial travel, took a seat in the centre (which Rupert had thoughtfully prepared for him), where there is very little motion.  I must say I was amazed to see the way that splendid old soldier Sir Colin bore himself.  He had never been on an aeroplane before, but, all the same, he was as calm as if he was on a rock.  Height or motion did not trouble him.  Indeed, he seemed to enjoy himself all the time.  The Admiral is himself almost an expert, but in any case I am sure he would have been unconcerned, just as he was in the Crab as Rupert has told me.

We left just after daylight, and ran down south.  When we got to the east of Ilsin, we kept slightly within the border-line, and went north or east as it ran, making occasional loops inland over the mountains and back again.  When we got up to our farthest point north, we began to go much slower.  Sir Colin explained that for the rest all would be comparatively plain-sailing in the way of defence; but that as any foreign Power other than the Turk must attack from seaward, he would like to examine the seaboard very carefully in conjunction with the Admiral, whose advice as to sea defence would be invaluable.

Rupert was fine.  No one could help admiring him as he sat working his lever and making the great machine obey every touch.  He was wrapped up in his work.  I don’t believe that whilst he was working he ever thought of even me.  He is splendid!

We got back just as the sun was dropping down over the Calabrian Mountains.  It is quite wonderful how the horizon changes when you are sailing away up high on an aeroplane.  Rupert is going to teach me how to manage one all by myself, and when I am fit he will give me one, which he is to have specially built for me.

I think I, too, have done some good work—at least, I have got some good ideas—from our journey to-day.  Mine are not of war, but of peace, and I think I see a way by which we shall be able to develop our country in a wonderful way.  I shall talk the idea over with Rupert to-night, when we are alone.  In the meantime Sir Colin and Admiral Rooke will think their plans over individually, and to-morrow morning together.  Then the next day they, too, are to go over their idea with Rupert and my father, and something may be decided then.