“The Boldest ideas are born out of terrible Fears, and when Fears are conquered, what Wonders are conjured.” -Henry Derringer

Henry Derringers Vignettes

Our world, just as any other is not so much made up tremendous events, and grand scenes, but also little things, tens of thousands of little apparent insignificant things that make up the subtle frameworks of people’s lives.

May 5th

The winds whipped fiercely through the Scottish Highlands as two figures braced themselves on the highest peaks. “Henry… do you really think this prototype will work?”

Gavin eyed a hang glider they had designed and put together over the past couple of months. He felt the weight of doubt growing in his stomach which made him sigh.

Henry gave a smile hearing the familiar sigh. “Do you want me to be forthright with you Gavin. . ,?”

“Well, when life and death hangs in the balance it would be preferable.”

“Then in that case, no, and yes…”

Gavin’s face tensed with anger and frustration. “Then which is it you damn fool?!”

Henry stood firmly in the breeze and assessed the sun which was beginning to set in the western sky gradually bringing the world to a bright orange hue. “Well, as with anything it’s a fifty fifty chance, it can either go wrong or right. Percentages complicate the degrees of certainty in life. He who hesitates is lost so to speak.

Gavin closed his eyes and exhaled a sharp breath. “Then we’ll press forward with the plan.”

“However. . .” Henry added causing Gavin to furrow his brows. “. . .There are windows of opportunity to consider Gavin and I’m afraid though the wind has picked up considerably we are losing our light, and so our window has all but closed on this day. . .”

“So, we’ll have to wait until tomorrow. . .”

“Indeed. . .”

“What should we do with the hand glider. It was a devil of a time getting it up here…”

“It certainly was, in the bush over there, we have some rope to tie it down, so it won’t blow away.”

Henry and Gavin secured the Hand Glider and kept it from sight.

“That should keep it safe. . . I would hate to see anything bad happen to it.” Henry noted.

“Aye..” Gavin retorted. “…and to think if it all works it could make us a small fortune.”

“Beyond our wildest imaginations I’m sure. . ,”

After the two departed. A lone figure emerged behind the rocks his eyes wide and serious. He quickly made his way over to the bush and saw the strange object secured within. It was easy enough to figure out how it operated, but it was a sight to behold nevertheless.

“It’s too dark to take it now… I’ll have to wait until the morning… I’ll never want for anything again.”

May 6th

Gavin’s head felt heavy from getting up before dawn, he gave a terrible yawn and fought off the urge to rest against a boulder,

“Come now Gavin, we’re almost there, just another kilometer or so.” Henry ushered his friend forward.

Gavin reluctantly pushed away from the boulder and trudged forward. “Is this really necessary? I don’t see what it would hurt to have another hour’s rest or so. At least the chance for a spot of tea, or coffee even.”

“We can’t afford to lose the headwinds from last night Gavin, we’re fortunate enough to not have to wait for another opportune time. Besides, good morning air is essential to vitality. We are nomads by nature after all. It’s less natural to be bundled in bed and wait for the convenience of convenience after all. Head long into life that’s the true spirit of the natural order I say!”

Gavin gave a huff as he pressed forward watching Henry stride effortlessly with his walking stick in hand, master of all things before him.

“Henry. . .” Gavin pressed his companion. “I’m a bit uneasy about the whole notion of getting into the air with wings. Sure, in theory it could be much easier and faster, however I’m quite concerned about the danger involved.”

Henry smiled with his nose in the air and the rising sun at his back. “I see that Margaret has her concerns.”

“Henry!”

“Which. . .!” Henry quickly reiterated before Gavin could get worked up. “Is why I volunteered to take the maiden voyage. If the worst should happen tell mother, I died in the name of science.”

“So, you do lack confidence in this design!”

“As I said before Gavin it’s simply a fifty fifty chance of anything. Either we succeed, or we don’t, no sense in doubting myself. Statistics odds, all poppycock if you ask me.”

“A Balloon is far safer…”

Gesticulating with his finger held out Henry countered. “That my good friend remains to be seen.”

Gavins's face turned grim as he looked forward to see in the clearing, someone mounting their hang glider.

“Speaking of seeing things…!” Was all Gavin could mutter before charging forward.

Henry cocked a brow, distracted by Gavin’s actions only to at last to come to the same realization. “Someone is stealing… Someone’s stealing our prototype!” Henry shouted and charged forward, soon out running Gavin, brandishing his walking stick as a weapon, a fierce look in his eyes. “Have at you!”

Henry’s eyes then widened to see the man take a flying leap with the hang glider descending off the cliff and falling below the mist. Henry slid to the ground catching himself before sailing off the cliff. With his heart in his throat all he could do was watch, as he removed his binoculars from his satchel for a better view.

“DEAR GOD!! THE CRAZY BUGGER JUMPED!!”

Gavin shouted as he at last caught up to the cliffs edge and knelt next to Henry searching from left to right, unable to see anything beyond the morning mist that blanketed the ground down below. “Do you see anything Henry?! Anything at all?!”

“Yes…! Yes Gavin I do!”

“And….!”

“It worked, by jove it worked!”

The two forgot about the theft for a moment in time and cheered happily in laughter. Gavin slapped Henry on the shoulder as he looked on. “That silly bastard I can’t believe it….”

“Yes…” Henry gave a sigh of relief. “It worked…” His expression then darkened. “Until it didn’t at any rate…”

Gavin turned pale as Henry quietly observed.

“You mean to say. . .”

Henry allowed a long moment hang in the air, either to assess what had happened or to find his nerve.

“Yes. . .” He said somberly.

“Can it be salvaged?!” Gavin asked, doing his best to refrain himself from snatching the binoculars away for his own view.

“Well, I don’t suppose why not. . .” Henry gave an unpleasant guttural noise in his throat. “Never mind, not salvageable.”

“Are you certain. . .?”

“Quite. . .” Henry at last lowered his binoculars.

Gavin removed his hat wiping the sweat from his brow. “So… balloons it is.”

“I formally stand corrected on the matter Gavin, balloons it is. . .”

Henry stood up and walked away from the cliff side feeling more self assured about the experiment in flight.

“I have ascertained that it is better to land in one piece, then to have to pick up all of your pieces.”

Gavin turned a shade paler, and covered his mouth, feeling his throat quiver.

Henry kicked his walking stick into the air and caught it with his hand swiftly.

“So much for leaving on a full stomach, will that be tea or coffee when we get back to town? I’m quite famished.”

Henry asked with his usual self assured smile.