AN UNKNOWN ENEMY
"Huh! see there, that Mr. Marsh has got down from his machine, and gone
ahead to talk some more with Percy," remarked Andy, as they continued
to keep their eyes directed toward the road, not so very far distant,
where this little drama was taking place.
"They certainly seem to be interested in everything touching on
aviation," mused Frank. "Going to hang around Bloomsbury several days,
are they, while their car is being over-hauled? Did it look broken
down to you, Larry?"
"Almost new," replied the other, readily "I'd just like to say that
that was only an excuse for hanging around a while. They came here on
purpose, with something in their noddles; and you mark me, Frank, they
don't mean to skip without having a try at that same."
"Well, there they go off, and the procession starts again. Percy is
turning around to look after the two men, as if they interested him a
heap," Andy observed.
"He's calling something to Sandy, but I can't make out what it is,"
Larry declared; for he was noted on account of his unusually keen
hearing.
"Anyhow they seem to be laughing, and looking over this way, Frank,"
Andy remarked. "Just as if they thought they had a good joke on us.
Say, d'ye suppose now, that Mr. Marsh gave Percy a little hint he had
it in for us? If he did, it would tickle that bunch to beat the band.
Don't I know 'em though? Never did take any stock in that conversation
of Percy's. He had to say something, after we got him out of the hands
of the revolutionists down in old Columbia."
"Well," Frank went on, "there's no need of our worrying about things
that may never happen. We won't cross this bridge till we get to it."
"But, Frank, while that sounds fine, you know right well that it's
always been your way to prepare for possibilities?" Andy continued,
positively.
"That's correct, and we mean to now by camping out here," Frank
laughed, as if quite at his ease. "Besides, we've got things fixed
pretty safe by now, so that if what you thought turned out to be true,
the thieves couldn't profit by anything in the line of an idea they
hooked out of our shop. Those ideas are being patented, and safe from
the hands of a robber."
"Just as you say then," Andy went on, "we'll try and forget about
Mysterious Mr. Marsh--how's that strike you as a stunning title for our
new adventure? Be off with you, Larry and Elephant. Nat, would ask
you to join us, but I'm afraid there wouldn't be room for so big a
crowd, unless you slept in my boat, which I've not had in the water
this summer so far."
Stammering Nat tried to answer, but knowing the uselessness of such a
thing, instead he darted into the shop, took one look at the open canoe
occupying slings at the further end, and then came hurrying out. He
pounced on Andy, wrung his hand violently, and managed to gasp the one
word:
"B-b-b-bully!"
Then he waved his hand toward Frank, and shot after the two boys who
were heading for the road, anxious to return with their belongings.
Within half an hour they made their reappearance, each laden down with
a bulky bundle, under which poor little Elephant seemed almost buried,
though he trudged manfully along, and asked no favors from his taller
companions.
Evening was now near. Andy had made several trips to his home beyond
the border of the big field, each time returning with a load; though he
and Frank had for a long time kept their cooking kit and their blankets
in the shop, so that they would be handy when wanted.
He had also told his father and Colonel Josiah about their intention to
sleep in the workshop. Neither of the gentlemen thought anything
strange of the proposition, for the Bird boys were well able to look
out after themselves. They had proved this so often in the past, that
by now Frank's father, as well as the parent of Andy, offered no
objection to their projects, however bold they might appear at times.
"I had your dad on the 'phone, Frank," Andy remarked, the last time he
came back. "He'd just gotten in from his round of afternoon visits;
for there's a heap of sickness about Bloomsbury just now, I hear. And
of course he said that he wouldn't worry because you stayed away for a
few nights. I tell you, old chum, we've just got the finest governors
ever. It's a lucky thing to have an obliging dad!"
"And be able to wind him around your finger, as I hear you do yours,
ever since he came back from South America," laughed Frank.
By the time darkness began to gather the boys were deep in the
delightful task of cooking a genuine camp supper. The stove was of
generous size, so that several could work around it at the same time.
Andy took charge, nor would he let Frank have any hand in the
proceedings, calling upon Elephant, Larry and Nat when he needed
assistance.
Of course the ham was tender, the coffee nectar fit for the gods, the
Boston baked beans just as appetizing as they could possibly be, and
all other things on the menu equal to any they had ever tasted. But
then, hungry boys are not apt to be discriminating, save sometimes at
home. Anything eaten under such romantic conditions as this was sure
to be classed as prime.
Larry had been as good as his word, and brought back a generous
donation on the part of his mother, whose doughnuts were reckoned the
very finest in all that section; so that they topped off a hearty
supper with several of these apiece.
After the aluminum cooking outfit had been thoroughly cleaned, and
every piece put away in its exact place, as was the custom of the Bird
boys, who could never tell just when they might want to go off in a
hurry, and take the camp kit along, they gathered around a table and
indulged in some friendly games, Andy having been thoughtful enough to
fetch these out from the house.
About ten Elephant was discovered to be fast asleep, while the others
were holding a talk fest by themselves.
"Time we all turned in, fellows," Frank declared, after Larry had
aroused his mate by tickling his ear with a straw.
So for a short time there was much fussing and blanket turning.
Finally one by one they announced themselves settled comfortably, Frank
staying up until the last in order to put out the lamp.
All of them had arranged it that in case there came a sudden alarm they
would not be more than a dozen seconds getting into some clothes and
their shoes, so as to rush outside.
There were several patent fire-extinguishers handy, for the Bird boys
had had one experience with a conflagration that threatened to destroy
their workshop, and with it their precious aeroplane, and they did not
mean to be caught unprepared for such an emergency again.
Many times during that night Frank awoke, and on each occasion he would
sit up to listen. It was a quiet night, and the windows of the shop,
over which heavy wire netting had been secured, were of course open, so
that the air could pass on through.
Thus, what sounds there might happen to arise without could be plainly
heard. But the hours passed on and there was no cause for alarm.
Frank had arranged certain devices whereby he expected to be warned
should any one attempt to enter the workshop. The fine wire had been
secretly carried to Andy's room in the house, where a bell would sound
an alarm, and arouse the sleeper.
Of course this was not wholly in use while the boys were camping there
in the enclosed shed; but in its way it would prove another guardian.
Once Frank thought he heard murmuring voices; he was so impressed that
he even crept out of his bed and advanced to the nearest opening,
thinking to locate the speakers, whether they proved to be Percy
Carberry and his crony, bent on mischief, or the mysterious Mr. Marsh
and Longley, spying around for some secret purpose of their own.
It turned out to be only little Elephant, who was lying on his back,
and breathing heavily. Frank turned him over, and then crept back
under his blankets.
So morning found them, ravenous as wolves, and each one ready with some
suggestion as to what they could have for breakfast.
But after all, Andy had assumed the office of high cook, and his word
was law to the rank and file. He declared that codfish cakes would be
a good starter, and that he had the stuff already mixed, as given him
by the colored aunty in the Bird kitchen.
Besides that, he announced that he would treat his guests to pancakes,
or as they are always known in camp, flapjacks, which he prided himself
on knowing how to make. Some honey had been smuggled over to make
these more acceptable. Indeed, it would appear that Andy did know how
to make light cakes, since it seemed impossible for the others to get
enough of them, and he was kept over the fire until as red as a turkey
cock in the face.
"How about taking a turn this morning Frank?" asked Andy, as he found
himself forced in turn to cry quits, with half of a flapjack still on
his platter.
"Don't wait to clean up, fellows," said Larry, promptly. "Give the
rest of us something to do while you're sailing around up among the
clouds. I know just where you keep every article, and my word for it
you'll find them in place when you get back again."
"That's nice of you, Larry," laughed Frank; "and I'm going to take you
up on it. It does seem a shame not to take advantage of so fine a
morning as this. Hardly a breath of wind as yet, you notice. And yet
by noon it may be blowing great guns. You never can tell. Andy, shall
we get the new machine out of the hangar?"
"Oh! I'm game for anything you offer," asserted the other, getting up
slowly, as became one who had just been crammed.
"We tried the pontoons yesterday, and they worked as fine as silk,"
Frank went on to say. "Suppose we leave them off this time, as we will
not be over the lake?"
"Just as you say," returned the willing Andy. "I tell you what, Frank,
let's go up to the top of the mountain again. Haven't been there this
season, you know."
"Just what I had in mind myself, and I think you knew it," Frank said,
as he led the way outside. "Then we might sail around over the woods
up in that region where we discovered those two hiding jewelry thieves,
who were making headquarters of that old shack in the forest. If this
biplane can climb any better than our little Bug used to do, she'll be
a wonder, all right. Come on, and help us get things moving, fellows."
Many hands made light work, and presently the biplane was ready for the
start.
When Frank gave the word the others pushed her off; and as the two
propellers hummed, the machine started along the ground on the three
bicycle wheels until presently it arose in the air as gracefully as any
bird could have done.
"Now, which way first?" asked Andy, when the shouts of their comrades
had died away in the distance, and they were half a mile from the
trying-out field.
"I guess we'll take a little twenty-mile spin first," Frank replied,
moving a lever; "to see what she can do in a hurry pinch. That new
engine seems to work all right; just as the smaller one did, seldom
failing us. Tell me, what could be as fine as this, sailing over the
earth? I don't wonder that when a fellow has once started in to be an
aviator he can't ever break away. Peril and accidents he laughs at;
not because he's reckless always, but just on account of the
fascination of the sport."
"We're the luckiest fellows ever, just as Larry and Elephant say," Andy
declared as they soared upward, and then descended in daring spirals as
Frank tried out the new airship, to see what it was capable of doing.
In a dozen ways had it proven even more than they had expected, and
both boys were wild with enthusiasm over the performance.
"Let Percy come along with his new one!" cried Andy, after they had
volplaned successfully down toward the earth, until not more than a few
hundred feet above the tree tops of the forest; "it would tickle me to
have a turn with him again. He has forgotten his other beat, and is
beginning to boast again about what great stunts he means to kick up."
"Well, who knows what may be in store for us yet," Frank remarked; "and
now, let's head up again, and strike for the summit of Old Thunder Top,
ten miles away."
"Oh!"
Andy's sudden exclamation was caused by the report of a gun in among
the scattered trees directly below them; and both young aviators
distinctly heard the peculiar "whine" of the bullet, as it passed close
by their ears, actually making a little hole through the cloth of both
planes!