HEADED SOUTH
Apparently Jack had completed his task about the same time, for he was
adjusting his ’chute harness, without which he seldom made a long
distance flight. This was only second nature to him, because of the long
experience he had had in barnstorming, and doing stunts for a living in
years gone by.
This accomplished, he stepped outside the hangar, and beckoned to a
couple of ground workers who chanced to be close by, possibly in
anticipation of their services being required, with a tip in prospect.
Between them the ship was moved to the open, and after that it would be
a simple thing for Jack to taxi across the strip of ground adjoining the
big Pitcairn hangar, so as to face such wind as was stirring.
With what Perk had said concerning the new Ryan monoplane and its crew
still fresh in his mind, Jack did give a brief glance in that quarter.
He could only see that both men were fully equipped with dungarees,
helmets, and even chutes fastened to their backs; which combination was
an effectual disguise, since their best friends might have failed to
recognize either of them offhand.
The one who was garbed in what seemed to be fresh clean overalls, and
who must be the employer, seemed to feel a mild interest in their
movements, for he was looking that way through his goggles, that had
been pulled down as if in preparation for some species of flight. The
other was busying himself adjusting something, and from his greasy
dungarees it was evident he must be the working pilot of the Ryan craft.
With all the bustle that was going on covering the stunt flying and
speed races, Jack did not bother taking a second look; he failed to have
the same interest in the possible sporting excursion of the unknown pair
that had gripped Perk and hence failed to let the matter occupy any more
of his limited time.
They were soon both settled down in their respective places in the
double cockpit of the ship, Jack of course occupying the front seat,
since he had been placed in command, with the other acting as co-pilot
and observer.
It was a very decent crate taken in all, that had been secured for their
work on this special occasion, for Uncle Sam is never stingy in
supplying his agents of the Secret Service with whatever they need, from
means for swift travel to the customary “grub” necessary to their upkeep
when “on the road.” These air detectives in whom we are particularly
interested just now, as a rule were angling for big fish, and it was
absolutely necessary they should be given a free hand when making their
demands for proper backing.
“Well, it’s goodbye to Candler Field for us right now,” remarked Perk,
as he shot a general look around, being more or less interested in the
exciting events being pulled off in the air circus. “Playtime’s past,
and now we’ve just got to put in our best licks along the line of
business. Huh! seems like them two guys are meaning to pull out right on
our heels, from the lively way that greasy lad is jumping around—keeps
an eye on us in the bargain, as if it mattered a lick whether we did get
going before he was ready to follow suit. Some folks never do like
anybody to show ’em their dust, even when it don’t matter a pinch.”
Just then Jack waved his hand toward the two hostlers whom he had
generously tipped, and pulled the gun in his accustomed careful fashion;
after which they started along the level field for the takeoff, there
being small necessity for a runway on such a generous fairway.
Faster and faster they flew along the ground, and then with their wheels
parting contact with the earth up they started at an easy incline. The
roar of the motor already drowned most of the clamor from the surging
crowd, while the racket of the whizzing propeller added to the chorus so
joyous to the ears of all real air pilots, since nothing pleases them
more than to feel they are masters of a ship that is in “apple-pie”
condition for battling whatever lies ahead, be it storm, fog or whatnot.
Somehow Perk was twisting his head around as if curious to ascertain
whether that Ryan crate had succeeded in imitating their example, and
was already making the preliminary dash across the field—which luckily
enough had chanced to be fairly clear of maneuvering planes, either
descending, taking off, or being taxied into position for the next stunt
on the program.
The afternoon was getting well along by this time, and already the first
dim shadows of approaching night were to be seen slipping out from
certain patches of pine trees ahead. But the higher they climbed, now
that a start had been accomplished, the lighter it would become, what
with a lower horizon, and the sun still hanging in plain sight.
Once free from any possibility of any contact with the wheeling and
ducking planes—some of which were doing the barrel roll, and others
making successive somersaults, with the daring pilots proceeding while
in an inverted position—Jack could start spiraling, and climbing.
Rapidly was Candler Field fading from view behind them since Jack had
swung toward the south, as if to lay his course directly for New
Orleans. Perk seemed to find a subtle attraction back where they had
just come from, since he was again turning his head with nothing else to
do save gratify his innocent curiosity.
“Huh! ’pears like they might be meaning to strike for the Louisiana
canebrake country, and black bear diggings, just like I said,” he was
telling himself, with a chuckle of amusement over his shrewd guess. “And
say, that little Ryan crate’s no slouch ’bout making speed, I’d mention.
Come along you sportin’ crowd—plenty of room in the ceiling overhead,
an’ nixey a chance to bring about a collision. Take your choice, and cut
out for all you’re worth, boys. If you get there before we do, just tell
’em we’re acomin’ too.”
So Perk continued to amuse himself in watching the antics of the rival
ship, and indulging in all kinds of wild speculations as to what the
real object of those two sporty looking occupants might prove to be.
Evidently thus far not the slightest suspicion had entered his mind that
the taking to the air of the shining Ryan boat had the first thing to do
with their own skipping out, and heading toward the Crescent City.
“Like as not when it gets real dark after a bit,” Perk continued to say,
being addicted to talking to himself more or less, “we’ll soon lose her,
and have the field all to ourselves. Only moving thing I c’n sight back
there, ’cept them circlin’ buzzards huntin’ for a carrion supper. Guess
everything’s going along first class and we’re in for a comfortable
night run down over the corn and sugarcane country. This is the life for
little Perk, you hear me saying, everybody—it’s got the boxin’ game,
and even that outdoor life up with the Mounties in Canada, beat to a
frazzle.”
So Perk busied himself with his duties for some time, and presently
became aware of the fact that evening was actually at hand; for the sun
had dropped out of sight over in the far west, and looking down he found
it absolutely impossible to distinguish what lay beneath them some two
thousand feet more or less earthward—there might be forests, farms,
hills or swales following each other in rapid succession; but all masked
by the sable curtains of night. When the moon rose later on, its light
would not afford them any opportunity for marking any peculiarities of
the ground down there, since it must simply present the appearance of a
swiftly moving panorama.
Perk, moved once more by his old curiosity concerning the ship that had
started off immediately after their own jump, again twisted his head so
as to take another backward look.
“Hanged if she ain’t keeping on our tail right along,” he told himself,
as if a bit surprised, though not in the least troubled, since there
could be no possible connection between this Ryan monoplane and their
own old bus, bent on reeling off so many miles per hour, and aiming to
make the airport at New Orleans by early dawn or before, according to
how the weather treated them, and the speed Jack could coax from his
aerial steed.
Further inspection convinced Perk that the rival ship was neither
gaining nor losing as the two sped along their way; a fact that began to
make him “sit up and take notice,” and then express himself
confidentially:
“By jinks! it looks to me like that clever little Ryan bus could make
circles around our tub ’less Jack c’n squeeze a lot more snap from our
Whirlwind motor. Now what game c’n that pair of sports be playin’ right
now, I want to know—must be they’re so used to bettin’ on anything an’
everything they’re meanin’ to keep right on our tail all night long,
just to make us hump along, and get the laugh on us poor guys.”