Part 22 (2/2)

Not a person save themselves was within sight or sound. Professor Zepplin, too, had disappeared.

CHAPTER XI

CHUNKY OBJECTS TO EGG WATER

”Well, doesn't that beat all!” marveled Tad.

”Certainly does,” agreed Ned.

”Yes, but I don't understand--what does this mean?” exclaimed Walter.

”I'm a poor guesser,” answered Ned.

”It means that we are all alone,” replied Tad. ”Beyond that I could not guess.”

Chunky had been viewing the scene with solemn complacency.

”We've got the mules, anyway,” he nodded.

”Precious lot of good they'll do us,” returned Walter.

”And we've got the food and--and I don't have to build a fire, either,” added the fat boy.

”Yes, we have some things to be thankful for, that's a fact,” laughed Tad. ”My idea is that the Professor, finding the men had just left here, has hurried on to overtake them. I don't think we have any reason to worry.”

”Then we had better stay right here,” answered Ned.

”Yes. That is all we can do for the present.”

”Think we had better unpack?”

Tad considered the matter briefly.

”I think we had better wait a little while,” he decided.

”I think you are right. I hope we don't have to. We have enough food in our pockets to keep us going until night and--”

”Don't we get anything to eat until night?” wailed Chunky.

”Not unless you can browse,” retorted Ned. ”There's plenty of green stuff hereabouts.”

”You can eat with the mules if you wish to. I don't.”

”Might as well keep the fire up,” decided Tad, gathering up a fresh supply of green stuff which he dumped on the graying ashes. ”The smoke will help the Professor to find us quickly when he comes back.”

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