on you to find out what Adrian's last name was--save me a wheen
o' worriment if on'y I knowed it--somethin' that rhymed with
Barnum--Bernard--Burling--Berwind--hang the luck, jest _why_ does this
ol' short memory for names bob up to bother a feller when we're startin'
off on a big spin an' may never see thet lady an' little Adrian again?
Seems I'm jest goin' to speak the right word, an' then, shucks! it
misses connection like, an' leaves me a gropin' in the dark."
Jack, being accustomed to his pal's queer ways, did not take much notice
of the new cause for worry that had gripped the stubborn one. He felt
pretty certain he would see Perk sitting many times with a brooding
expression on his face and counting his fingers while checking off each
and every name he could conjure up that sounded like Barnum, etc., to
finally heave a tremendous sigh, shake his head and apparently try to
get the troublesome puzzle out of his mind.
It was all very sad but then one usually has to pay some sort of penalty
because of having a poor memory for names.
As for Jack, he gave the subject little thought partly because he had
matters of much greater moment to take up his attention. Indeed, he
would have been considerably surprised could he have suspected how that
name for which Perk was grappling just through his stubbornness, would
play quite an important part in those adventures which they were
destined to run up against on the other side of the Canadian border.
"Now let's forget everything that happened last night," he told his chum
seriously, "and stick to our business which is connected with the
bringing in of that fierce go-getter and all-round bad egg who slipped
out of jail so mysteriously that the wardens are floundering in a bog up
to this day. All of which proves he's no easy mark and that we'll have
to be on our toes if we expect to cage our bird."
They were so well prepared for the sudden emergency call that little
remained to be done. The crate was serviced and could cover fully
fifteen hundred miles as the crow flies with the gas they had aboard.
Then, too, as they figured on stopping over in Spokane possibly a day or
so, there would be ample opportunity to refill their aluminum tanks to
the limit as well as lay in such other necessities as occurred to them.
"We've got to remember," remarked cautious Jack as they were heading for
the flying field before two that afternoon, "that once we start across
the line, we'll have few chances to fill up with gas. They may happen to
have some gas at the post, or perhaps the Mounties could supply us
because in these days of much flying it would be possible for a ship to
drop down near by and be in need of fuel so badly the pilot would pay a
big price to be supplied but I don't mean to bank on such a happening."
"Huh! mebbe things have changed some since I served with the Mounties,"
Perk went on to say; "for there wasn't such a thing as a gallon o' gas
within fifty or a hundred miles o' the post at that time. Folks are
gettin' air-minded ev'rywhere you go today an' it wouldn't surprise me
to find they've got some sort o' a landin' place close at hand. Ain't
staggered at anything nowadays, buddy."
They lost no time in reaching the field and as it was a pleasant day
they found it an animated scene, with crates coming and going, visitors
as well as those connected with the field in some capacity helping to
make up a crowd with scores of spectators as a backing, rushing from one
point to another.
This thing was such an old story for both flyers they paid little
attention to the bustle that was going on but made straight for the
hangar where their ship was quartered.
Jack had kept his word and a man could be seen standing or moving about
near the squatty building. This was a guard in his employ, engaged by
the day, for an indefinite time. It might be a week or a day, depending
on the whim of the young and ardent sportsman, whom it was believed
meant to hunt big game somewhere within five hundred miles of Salt Lake
City.
"Listen Perk," said Jack as they approached the hangar, "it might be
just as well for neither of us to say a word about making a quick run of
it until about to pull out when I'll pay our man double wages. After
what happened here last night anything might come along to upset our
calculations."
"I'm on Jack--seems like you never do know what's what these days. Any
more light on who did that dirty, sneaky job last night, eh what?"
"Nothing positive but I'm still of the opinion it must've been meant for
us," replied Jack. "Everything points that way for we happened to change
our hangar with hardly anybody knowing about it. Then again I understood
Mr. Gibbons dropped in along about nine and never a soul to meet him and
his pilot save the customary field hands. But then there's no use crying
over spilled milk--what's done can't be changed and it serves to warn us
never to trust to just mixing up our names. We've got to believe there
are just as smart wideawake chaps up against us as we ever claim to be.
That'll be enough on the subject Perk, so let's forget it."
"Anyway, luck's all in our favor, seems like," was the consolation Perk
offered himself, at the same time relapsing into silence.
As quietly as possible, just as if they meant to take an ordinary spin,
they got their bus out of the hangar. Jack had paid the rental for it in
advance, so there was nothing to worry them from that quarter, which was
just as well for things somehow manage to fly around among the employees
and pilots connected with a base port and the news would soon become
common property that the young millionaire sportsman and his pilot were
at last on their way to some chosen hunting ground in search of big game
like moose, grizzly bears or possibly Rocky Mountain big-horn sheep.
As usual Jack gave the ship the once over, to make doubly certain
nothing had been neglected. So far as he was able to tell it was in
apple-pie condition and so well stocked that they could count on a two
thousand mile flight unless baffled by storm or dense fog banks.
The guard was given double pay and told that his services would not be
needed any further, since a sudden wire had changed their plans somewhat
and they were pulling out for good. If he evinced any particular
curiosity concerning the goal they had in view, never a word spoken by
either of the flyers put him any the wiser. Not that Jack suspected he
might be in touch with some mysterious but vindictive enemy, but just
kept mum on general principles.
"All ready, partner!" sang out Perk in his usual happy fashion for it
always pleased him beyond measure to be making a start on some new air
voyage and from what Jack had told him, Spokane was going to be only a
way station, with the vast unknown Northwest Territory beckoning them on
to fresh activities and mayhap thrilling adventures to follow. No wonder
the chap whose nerves were always set for action felt joyful when the
moment came to pull the gun and swing off.
One last look around and aloft so as to stamp his approval on the
conditions with which they were to be confronted, and Jack made the
momentous start. The wonderful up-to-date amphibian began to move down
the slight decline with constantly augmented speed until, having reached
the desired maximum the pilot lifted his craft and away they soared.
Perk took a last backward look at the field that had become fairly
familiar to them by this time. There was a grin upon his freckled face
that told of the pleasure he felt at such an auspicious moment. A ship
was just coming into port, settling down for the last glide--just as a
duck might set its wings, and throw its webbed feet forward on nearing
the surface of a lagoon on which it intended to alight.
Perk rather imagined it was a belated air-mail boat, delayed by some
accident like a forced landing or unusual weather conditions. No matter,
he waved a hand gaily in salute to the homecoming air-man and felt no
ill humor because there was no return wave, since the one whose hand was
at the stick must needs give his full attention to his work, or risk a
crash.
So they departed from the friendly Salt Lake City airport, with a far
distant goal in view.
IX
A BROKEN PADDLE
After attaining some thousands of feet altitude, Jack headed into the
north-west-by-north, it being his intention for variety to follow the
shore line of the water until near its extreme northerly tip. This was
only done for a change and to please Perk, who had mentioned the fact
that he would welcome such a brief run, being a bit tired of looking
down on endless stretches of rough country, mountainous in most places
and with a most monotonous panorama passing far below.
So after all it was accident rather than an expectancy of meeting up
with any sort of adventure that brought about the rather odd happening
falling to their lot that afternoon.
Perk having little to do just then that could not be deferred until
later on, was amusing himself with the glasses, looking back toward the
old Mormon city with its vast temple devoted to the service of the
followers of Brigham Young and the many other interesting features which
he and Jack had faithfully surveyed while they were killing time and
awaiting orders.
When these sights began to grow dim in the distance, he swept the
surface of the big sheet of salty water and noted far away toward the
west the shoreline bounding it in that quarter.
The day that had begun with considerable warmth had also brought up
clouds that had, Perk thought, a bit of menace in their dark depths.
Perhaps after all they would be treated to a little thunder and
lightning for a change but that did not give him any concern, since both
he and Jack were used to meeting up with boisterous weather when in
flight and knew all the practical wrinkles for avoiding discomfort under
such conditions.
Through the glass he could easily make out the various towns and smaller
places that were to be met with along the eastern shore of the winding
lake. They interested him from time to time, especially since Jack for
some reason of his own had seen fit to drop down until they were zooming
along not more than two thousand feet above the lake itself.
"Some wind down there," remarked Perk suddenly. "Startin' to kick up the
waves like it might mean business."
"I wouldn't be surprised if we got a fair-sized blow later on," Jack
told him as their ear-phones had been adjusted in order to permit an
exchange of opinions and also allow them to work in common.
Perk shot a look skyward and noticed the clouds were actually growing
blacker and more menacing. But that meant nothing in his care-free life.
If the wind began to bother them it would be a simple thing to climb
above the storm and keep merrily on their way, leaving the overcharged
clouds to deluge the land beneath with their contents.
Perk was very still for some little time and seemed to be paying
particular attention to something that had attracted his notice.
"I say, partner," he suddenly said, and Jack could tell he was agitated
for some reason or other.
"Yes, what is it, Perk?" demanded the pilot.
"I don't just like the looks o' it, that's what!" exclaimed the other.
"Nothing more than a summer squall, with some fireworks thrown in for
good measure, Perk. I'm surprised at you, old man."
"You're gettin' me wrong, ol' hoss," burst out the other, "I ain't
referrin' to the weather, which don't disturb me a whiff--it's that
silly little canoe down yonder an' sure as shootin' it's a _gal_ in it
wavin' a white flag o' some kind!"
"What's that, boy?" cried Jack, startled somewhat by Perk's last words.
"A punkin-seed boat, such as no sensible person'd use on such a big
sheet o' water as this here Salt Lake and she don't seem to have any
paddle at work either, that I c'n see--mebbe now it's got broken an'
thar she is three miles out from shore with the wind blowin' her further
all the while!"
Jack had banked by this time and was commencing to circle preparatory to
dropping down in a glide. Somehow what his mate had just said stirred
his blood and without the first thought concerning their present errand
he was listening to the call of humanity.
After all there was no need of undue haste while on this business of the
Government. They had made the start, Perk's impatient mood had been
successfully muzzled, and if they found occasion for any reason to delay
their progress while en route to their distant destination, it would be
all right.
"How about it now?" he sang out a little later when they had reached a
ceiling of less than a thousand feet.
"Jest like I was sayin' partner," replied Perk promptly.
"It's a girl then?" asked the pilot.
"Sure is, an' a slip o' a youngster in the bargain, not over ten or
twelve years old, I'd say on a guess. An' let me tell you, Jack, she's
keepin' up that wavin' her flag like fun--guess now she's skeered we'll
give her the go-by."
"We've got to drop down on the lake then, that's clear," said Jack, just
as though it was imperative to attempt the rescue of the youthful
castaway, once her serious plight had come to their notice.
"Some rough sleddin' for us, partner," mentioned Perk to quickly add:
"But shucks! what o' that, with you holdin' the stick. Our boat c'n
stand the racket okay. On your way, partner!"
Jack was now able to see for himself without the aid of glasses. There
could be no question as to Perk having struck the absolute truth when he
declared it was a question of life and death for the frightened occupant
of the dainty little canvas canoe that was bobbing up and down in the
rising waves like a floating cork. Yes, he could even make out what
looked like a broken spruce paddle lying in the bottom of the tiny craft
as though it had played the paddler a treacherous trick just when she
needed it the most and been cast aside as useless.
He dropped still lower, with a practiced eye keeping tabs of the wind
and waves that were being kicked up. Then came the contact between the
pontoons and the roughening surface of the lake--a considerable
commotion followed, but the admirably built aluminum floats did their
expected duty and in a brief space of time they were safely established
on the heaving waters, not more than thirty feet away from the young and
distressed mariner.
Again the rat-tat-tat of the engine was heard as Jack turned on full
power, knowing he had a combination of wind and waves to beat. The spray
flew quite briskly and Perk let out one of his joyous whoops as, amidst
all this clamor, they continued to taxi in the direction of the bobbing
punkin-seed as he had called the drifting canoe.
The young girl had ceased waving the white object which Jack strongly
suspected might be a piece of her own clothing, torn off in desperation
when she feared her lone chance of rescue might pass by, leaving her to
a cruel fate. She was kneeling in the tossing boat, staring toward the
approaching strange craft--an airship that could navigate the lake as
though by magic, something she undoubtedly had never witnessed before,
even though planes must be a familiar sight, seen far up in the heavens
as they journeyed back and forth on their individual errands.
So they soon came alongside the helpless canoe and Jack was telling his
pal just how it would be best to get the girl aboard. Her craft of
course would have to be abandoned, since it was out of the question for
them to taxi head-on over that water, growing constantly rougher as the
wind rose higher with the shore something like three miles distant.
After all the safety of the girl was the main thing they must keep in
view--a canoe only represented a small amount of money but a human life
was priceless.
Perk made ready to assist the wretched skipper of the frail craft
aboard, although it required considerable maneuvering on the part of the
pilot to fetch the ship around so that the contact could be effected. At
the proper moment Perk reached out his hand and once he clutched that of
the girl he knew the rescue was as good as accomplished, for he would
never let go.
In this queer fashion then was a third inmate of the ship's cabin
installed and the canoe allowed to drift away. The girl was too much
agitated just then to bemoan the loss of her treacherous little shallop,
for sinking down on her knees she burst into violent sobs the result of
her late terror. But their main object had been attained and now to get
out of this rough sea.
X
IN A SNUG HARBOR
It turned out to be rather a wet job, forcing the amphibian along
against the waves and the wind, constantly increasing in vigor and both
of them, as well as the girl, were more or less soaked before sufficient
speed could be attained to permit the boat to swing upward and take to
the air. Superior skill accomplished Jack's end at last and they left
the agitated surface of the lake to ascend and head toward the shore.
Of course there was no way of asking the questions Perk had on the tip
of his tongue, since she could not possibly hear anything he might say,
what with the clamor of motor exhaust and spinning propeller, together
with the shrill whistle of the wind amidst the struts.
But then according to Perk's mind there was no need of hearing any
explanation, for it was all so simple--the girl had foolishly ventured
out farther than discretion warranted in such a frail craft then the
sudden rising of wind and waves had alarmed her, and she must have plied
her paddle with such good will that suddenly it had snapped in the
middle where possibly a knot in the wood had proved to be its weakness,
leaving her helpless far from land and with a storm gathering.
No wonder the poor child was frightened--any man might have felt a chill
passing over him as he contemplated his slender chances of being saved.
And strangest of all, it had been no rescuing boat from the shore that
arrived in time to take her aboard, but an airship dropping down from
the clouds in the most miraculous way that could ever be imagined.
It was now their bounden duty to get her ashore as quickly as possible,
for probably her folks would have discovered that she was missing and
filled with fears, were at their wits end to figure how they could
discover her whereabouts and go to her assistance.
Imagine their amazement when looking far out over the heaving waters
they discovered a sky-scraper zooming along, suddenly make downward
swoops and presently float upon the lake, for what object they could
only surmise and feed their sinking hearts with wild hopes. Then to see
the airship again taking wing, and even head toward the land, must have
filled them with a wild enthusiasm. Jack knew very well what sort of
reception he and his chum would be apt to receive and was determined to
avoid it if possible, even to the point of seeming unmannerly. He could
not enjoy the thought of being made to pose in the role of a hero when
all they had done was of a most ordinary character.
"See that crowd gathering on that little dock--she pointed to it, an'
tried to let me know it was where she came from."
Perk was calling in the pilot's ear as he himself thrust out his hand
and called Jack's attention to the excited little group of
gesticulating, waving people. The girl was once more making use of her
distress flag, but now her face was lighted up with enthusiasm rather
than flooded with despair for she must begin to feel like some
fairy-book maiden being brought safely back to her father's palace after
being torn from the castle of the odious ogre--that is about what her
sensations must be, Jack was telling himself, if she had a spark of
romance in her makeup, which was very likely the case.
Jack went about carrying out his plans by cutting off the engine and
gliding down toward the water, comparatively smooth so close to the
shore for the wind just then was coming off the land.
They struck with a great splash and the impetus almost sufficed to carry
the amphibian to the outer edge of the miniature wharf, suitable only
for small boats. Eager hands were held out to the girl, already leaning
far over and in danger of falling overboard in her desire to reach her
dear ones. But zealous Perk kept hold of her until she could be drawn up
by many willing hands to be fairly smothered with a multitude of kisses,
the women in particular showing their enthusiasm in this regard.
"Push off!" Jack told his chum who was kneeling there, gazing at the
riotous scene, his face decorated by one of his customary grins.
So it happened that a minute or so afterwards, when the tattoo of the
working motor startled the group around the girl, to their astonishment
and dismay as well, they discovered the rescuing airship moving rapidly
away. In vain did they hold out their hands and beckon as though
actually pleading to the airmen to come ashore and accept their warm
thanks for saving the life of the one so dear to their hearts. Both Jack
and Perk smiled, but only shook their heads in the negative as they
passed further away from the little landing with its excited group.
There was Perk sending kisses back with all his soul and Jack could see
that this was for the benefit of the little girl, who, pushing to the
front of the milling crowd was blowing kisses after them, as if in her
heart she must let them know how grateful she felt for what they had
done.
That was quite enough for Jack--the memory of the little deed would
often arise in his mind and make him all the more satisfied that he had
not waited to listen to the applause of those good people who must
likely enough always believe it was about the only case on record where
two gallant chaps who had actually done a creditable deed, refused to be
lionized because of their modesty.
Perk was again paying some attention to the weather, for those black
clouds seemed to be gathering thicker than ever toward the southwest aid
from the signs, it would not be difficult to prophesy the coming of a
fairly savage summer storm.
"Going to be some buster, seems like to me, Boss," mentioned Perk with a
hint in his voice as if he would be pleased to hear what his comrade
thought of the proposition and likewise what course they should pursue
in order to escape as much of the coming turmoil as lay in their power.
"Between you and me and the lamp-post, brother," Jack remarked a bit
seriously, "I don't seem to hanker much about climbing in hopes of
getting through all that black mess, it's got a venomous look to me as
though it might turn out to be one of those electrical twisters we've
heard about. I've half a mind to run in closer to the shore in hopes of
finding some sort of a point heading out into the lake behind which we
could run and be sheltered from the worst of the blow. How about that,
Perk?"
"Sounds good to me, ol' hoss an' by the same token I kinder guess I just
sighted the cape we want, a mile or so ahead there."
He pointed as he spoke to what looked like a fairly sizable point that
jutted out from the shore and behind which they would undoubtedly find a
lagoon deep enough for their purpose.
"Yes, I see what you mean and here we go licketty-split for that
headland," Jack told him without loss of time.
Indeed, the grumble of distant thunder had by now grown more like a
roaring lion or a bull alligator in a swamp, challenging a rival to
deadly combat.
"The closer we get the better I like that cape," Perk was saying as he
continued to stare through the glass, "it's pretty high land and ought
to shield us fairly well from any blow I'm glad to say, 'cause the wings
o' the best ship ever built are kinder weak stuff and likely to be
blowed away in a gale when held fast by an anchor or hawser."
Jack was picking the proper spot on which to alight--of course that
would be on the water, but then it would be an easy matter for them to
taxi around the point and find a safe harbor if things were as they
pictured them.
This program was duly carried out without the slightest difficulty. The
friendly tongue of high land proved all they could have hoped for and
Jack readily drove his boat around its tip, to bring up further on where
the ground rose to its maximum height.
"Looks okay to me, Perk," he called out as he stopped his motor.
"Couldn't well be bettered I'd say, partner."
"Then drop the mudhook, and see what kind of holding bottom you get,"
Jack told his mate which Perk proceeded to do without loss of time.