Part 14 (1/2)
They had aboard the aed collapsible canvas boat that could be launched in short order and was to be propelled by means of a short but serviceable paddle While up in Canada with the Mounties, Perk had become quite proficient in the use of a paddle and also in balancing by sheer instinct while in a tipsy little canoe
Accordingly he convinced his chum that since both of them could hardly expect to occupy the sreens, it was up to hiood shape Jack could be checking up hisa survey of the boat so as to make certain it was in serviceable condition
”Cause you know, partner,” Perk went on solemnly, ”e _do_ want to skip out it's bound to be in a hoppin' hurry an' there'd be no time to look her over then, by jis easy-like--your work is a'goin to be mostly with the brain, while I'm the lad to use the muscle”
Jack felt that since the canoe was so direed to the division of labor
”Only, if it turns out that the job's a bigger one than you reckon on, buddy, you'll let ested, to which the other sirinned and nodded his head
The ent on steadily and Perk eventually had every part of the areen stuff, well calculated to hoodwink any air pilot passing directly over the spot
This accomplished, he was ready to call it a day and drop down close to Jack for a resting spell When they talked it was in low tones, al on whispers, for Jack took no chances of soe of their hideout, whose ears would be likely to catch the sound of ordinary voices
Jack, observing what his chuive the artist his meed of co things with all this stuff, Perk,” he told him, which was music in the other's ears, since he would rather have Jack praise hi to hide these stretched-out wings and the fuselage, too, as well as the shi+ny parts of the crate--motor, propeller, and such, but _you_ fixed it to beat the band”
”Can that sort o' talk, partner--it was a soft job an' anybody with sense could a'done it as good as yours truly Goin' to be a sure enough long day, 'cordin' toa little patience,” co in a hurry ”Men in our line of businesson and wait for the proper minute to strike the hook ho on soame fish kickin' up an awful row,” chuckled Perk ”Huh! don't I kno impatience is my besettin' sin and ain't I always a'tryin' to curb it? That's why I'm crazy to work in double harness with you, brother, 'cause you hold me in when I feel like spreadin' myself brashly Guess I knohen I'm well off Time to take another spin in dreamland, seems like,” hich remark Perk assumed as easy a position as the crowded cabin of the shi+p admitted, closed his eyes, and so far as Jack could tell fro ain proceeded to enjoy a snack, for appetites have a habit of growing rampant despite any lack of expenditure in the way of muscular activity
”I was jest thinkin,” Perk remarked as they chewed their dry food, ht be put on short rations if we're held up on this here job any great length o' time”
Jack refused to be disturbed by such a possibility
”Oh! I reckon there isn't ,” he said in his usual optiet pretty bad we can make a foray on the pantry of the shack where our friend puts up when over here Knowing that he's fond of his grub, with oceans of the long green to lay in the best of supplies with, I rather think he keeps a well-stocked larder at all ti starved out while there's a flock of eatables close by,” and fro this said, it was plainly evident he fully agreed with his pal
After that wonderful sunrise, which even Perk had called glorious, the sky clouded up around noon and there were even signs to warn thehtfall The visibility, too, became somewhat poor which possibly was one reason that influenced Jack to make a certain decision which Perk heard later on with unbounded pleasure
”It's getting on my nerves a bit, too, I must confess, Perk,” was the way he started to state his case, ”and since there would be sy at a wary eye out for stragglers?”
”I get you, partner,” was the eager way Perk snapped him up on the proposition which exactly tallied hat he hi
”I calculate now it et tabs on this here hideout o' the gent we're so much in love with, eh, what?”
”Wouldn't do any harm to learn the lay of the land,” Jack told hi under cover of night So let's step out and take our little saunter We know right well in a general way that the shackout a mile away Let's hope we'll be able to run across so which we'll fetch up as close as ant to go for the first ti we see so as to feel sure of our ground when darkness coo!”
Perk lost no tiun, that could be used er quick-firing pistol and when Jack looked dubiously at it his chu such a weapon along
”Huh! the weight don't count with such a husky as oin' to happen before we gets back here? These guys, I take it, are quick on the trigger and if we got to fight we'd have a better chance to pull out alive if we carried this little pill-box”
”Oh, well! have it your oay, brother,” Jack told hiic; and so they started forth