A DISGUISE PENETRATED
The boys, in spite of their broken slumbers, all turned out promptly
at four o'clock the next morning. They found this hour the
pleasantest of the day in this hot and dry region. The late moon
was just disappearing, and over the plains swept a breeze that
hinted of snow on some mountain peak not far away. Not a sound
broke the stillness but the occasional cry of a skulking coyote.
"Hear it, Elmer," said Alan, as the boys got busy in the baggage
car. "You want to look out for those fellows."
"I ain't feared o' no cutes and I ain't feared of no Injun,"
solemnly answered Elmer, "jist so dem rattlers gives me de go-by.
Dat's all I ast."
Buck's big wagon had arrived and was backed up to the car and now,
by the light of a lantern hanging above the door, the work of
loading began.
With their improved gas bag the boys had figured on a record flight
without renewing the gas supply. They had hoped to be able to stay
at least seventy-two hours in the air. But during a large part of
this time they expected to drift without the engines, for they could
not carry enough gasoline to last for more than twenty-four hours of
engine work. By their new calculations they had more than enough
gasoline, and according to Ned it seemed probable that the decreased
air pressure on the bag might extend the period of flight another
twenty-four hours, or to four days.
After that all would depend on the liquid hydrogen. The remarkable
qualities of this unique product were to be tested for the first
time in the history of ballooning. When the gas in the bag had
diminished by leakage through the valves and elsewhere so that it
was no longer sufficient to carry the car, the liquid hydrogen was
to be turned into gas which was to take the place of that lost. Ned
had left Washington with sixteen cubic feet of the liquid in eight
delicate Dewar bulbs, or casks. He figured that one-quarter of it
would be lost by evaporation, leaving twelve cubic feet. This seems
a small supply until one understands that the hydrogen increases in
volume 880 times as it returns into gas from the liquid form. The
twelve cubic feet of liquid, therefore, would give them a little
over ten thousand cubic feet of new gas. And this, with the loss of
ballast and provisions in three or four days, Ned calculated, would
give the balloon a new life of a day or so.
Therefore, the secret plan was a direct journey to Elmer's camp, a
flight of eighty-five miles, which would bring the Cibola near to
the foot of the mountains of mystery. After this camp had been
located and more gasoline taken aboard the boys were to head their
craft toward the Tunit Chas mountains. What would follow they could
not foresee. With good luck they might be able to hover birdlike
over the peaks, canyons and plateaus for five days. With bad luck
they might have to come down sooner or fall. Then, if the Cibola
failed them, they would have to find their way to the treasure
temple and the ruined palace on foot in a rugged wilderness,
infested with unfriendly Indians and reptiles, or struggle back, in
some manner, if they could, to Elmer's relief station, and thus to
civilization.
Should the worst happen and the balloon fail them, the boys might be
lost in a desolate region that is even now uncharted by the
government. The only resources they would have would be the Cibola
equipment and their own ability to take care of themselves. In any
event, the knowledge that Elmer and Buck were in camp ready to
succor them meant a good deal. And that was why the loading of the
overland outfit had so much interest for the boys.
Of tins of provisions there were many: condensed foods--German
erbswurst, or army rations of ground peas and meat; dried potatoes;
eggs in powdered form; preserved and salt meats; hard tack; tea and
coffee; flour; and evaporated fruits. The water was already
arranged for and the wagon containing the casks was at Buck's adobe
house.
On the floor of the wagon, packed in bunch grass, were the precious
gasoline casks. On top of all came the silk waterproof tent and the
camp equipage. Stowed under the seat was the box containing spare
flags, a heliograph, part of a wireless telephone outfit (the other
part was to be carried in the balloon) and compass. Two magazine
rifles and ammunition were included in the outfit, and Elmer donned
for the first time in his life a belt and holster to carry one of
the magazine revolvers that Ned had bought on the day when he first
told Alan what he had undertaken to do.
By the time this work was done it was day. Then came breakfast,
which Elmer insisted on preparing. He even demanded that he be
given time to make hot biscuits. These, with thick slices of
broiled ham, the last of their oranges, and hot fragrant coffee
constituted the last meal on the Placida.
As the meal came to an end the clump, clump of horses' feet in the
sand announced that Buck had arrived and that it was time for
breaking the "special car" camp. Alan and Elmer hastened to clean
up the little kitchen that had given the boys so many savory meals
and to pack up the remaining provisions, and Ned jumped off the car
to see Buck.
To the lad's surprise he found Gus, the tramp, just as dirty and
just as cheerful as ever, proudly mounted on one of the newly
arrived horses. Buck noticed the surprise in Ned's face and
explained:
"The helper I thought I could get fell down on me. My boarder's
goin' with us. I guess he'll do."
"You understand you don't know where you're going," said Ned,
approaching Gus as he rolled off his horse, "nor when you're coming
back?"
"I knows dat we ride and dat dere's chuck a-plenty," smiled Gus,
"and whichever way it is," he added lowering his voice and
chuckling, "can't be no worse dan Buck's place--fur me."
"Do you want to go?"
"Well, I ain't a settin' up nights a longin' to, but to oblige a
friend, Mr. Buck, I allowed meself to be persuaded."
"Well, we'll see," said Ned.
Ned rather wanted to watch this young man. Something suggested that
the tramp was too quick witted to be made a party to their plans.
Ned didn't exactly know what harm the stranger could do them, but he
decided to talk it over with Alan. While Buck was hitching up the
horses Ned turned to go into the car.
They were loading from the far side opposite the hydrogen cask and
as Ned passed the corner of the car he almost ran into the station
agent. The agent, who was also the telegraph operator, had a
telegram for Ned, which the boy took eagerly. Ned had sent a
message to Major Honeywell, telling of their safe arrival, and did
not doubt that this was some important afterthought of the Major's.
The address ran: "Mr. Ned Napier, Private car Placida, Clarkeville,
New Mexico." Tearing open the envelope Ned read:
"Just learned Kansas City Comet has story mysterious trip for
government starting Clarkeville. Real object not known. Look out
not followed.
"Baldwin Honeywell."
With three jumps Ned was in the car and had pull Alan into the
drawing room portion. The telegram was read again and the two boys
looked at each other in astonishment.
"How could they?" began Alan.
"No matter how," answered Ned, almost out of breath. "They did and
that's enough. Now I know!"
"Know what?"
Ned pushed his chum to the side of the car and pointed outside where
Buck and his helper were at work.
"Look at him," he exclaimed.
"At Buck?"
"No. At the tramp who won't wash his face, who has a gentleman's
underclothes and who is so anxious to work for us!"
"Well, I see him. But--"
"Haven't you ever seen those sharp eyes before?"
"You don't mean--?"
"I do. If that isn't Bob Russell, the Comet reporter, I'm a goat."