Jack was ready to give full credit to Jethro for his wonderful success in locating every such obstacle; once or twice they did happen to run softly up against a submerged tree-trunk; but the pilot had acute hearing, and sensed the fact that they were approaching such a dangerous snag; for he always reduced their speed, and the collision did no harm whatever.
It took them double the time to get back to their hiding-place as when going forth, all because of that swift current; but in good order they finally arrived, somewhat weary, but feeling the uplifting ardor accompanying a perilous mission successfully carried out.
Now they meant to seek rest, and sleep. In the morning they would try and take things easy, having nothing to do while daylight lasted but eat, and doze, looking hopefully forward to making another such sally when darkness again covered the coast lands and waterways.
Perk must have been very contented with the fine showing he had made in their first assault on the enemy’s lines of communication. He followed the example of his chum, lying down on one of the cots belonging to the cabin of the big amphibian—they had arranged blankets on the floor for Jethro, after he had positively refused to take one of the cots, saying he was “used tuh knockin’ around, an’ takin’ pot-luck when he felt sleepy”—and just before passing into dreamland himself Jack heard his best pal mutter:
“Huh! fust blood fo’ Uncle Sam’s boys, which same is a good sign, I’d say!”
CHAPTER XXVII
The Luckless Speedboat
The night passed without anything in the nature of an alarm. Once when Jack chanced to wake up, he could catch the familiar pulsations of a cloud-chaser of an airship passing, at a considerable distance; and as near as he could figure, heading directly toward the rendezvous on the creek, where a descent would be made to the exact spot on which the other craft had so lately been mysteriously incinerated.
“I wonder if that turns out to be our next victim,” was what the listener said under his breath, as he dropped back to continue his sleep.
In the morning it was deemed quite safe for Perk to build a cooking fire well back of the rise, so that even though a boat should pass up or down the river curious eyes would not be apt to see anything suspicious. The air, too, was favorable, since it came from a direction to leeward of the water, which would carry such light smoke as arose from the small fire safely away.
Perk gave himself and two companions a very acceptable breakfast, all things considered. He was possessed of a fair amount of culinary skill; dearly loved to get up a camp meal, and satisfy the yearnings of his always empty stomach; and moreover had selected a number of such viands as would appeal to the taste of three hungry men, reduced to their own cookery.