“I get you now, Big Boss—never did think o’ that before. Then I kinder guess we’ll have to hike some little way,” and there was a vein of chagrin in the speaker’s voice as he mentioned this fact, since walking and Perk never did seem to agree very well—like most flyers he had been spoiled for all manner of pedestrianism by his ability to cover such vast distances without moving his pedal extremities an iota.
“That’s our sure enough program,” Jack told him, doubtless thinking that the delayed knowledge might allow his pal to make up his mind about swallowing the bitter medicine without a single grimace.
It was not long after this little break when Jack again spoke:
“I’ve a good idea we’re across the line now, partner,” was the information he passed along.
“Sounds good to me, okay,” commented Perk, with a tinge of solid satisfaction visible in his voice as though having a possible rough-house job to handle, the sooner he got busy the sooner it was likely to be over.
“And making more than an even hundred miles to the hour in the bargain, Perk.”
“Some punkins about comin’ in swell on the last lap, this crate sure is, I’d say, partner. Licketty split she humps along like a reg’lar witch. I guess now she’d make rings around that ol’ boat Slim’s got hold o’ though it answers his purpose seems like. But see here, Jack, you never did tell me jest how you got word to that same Colonel Morales down here in Mexico.”
“I was given my instructions, and sent a telegram to him at Hermosilla, in care of Padre Lopez, giving him the order he was expecting—during the last hour we were in Los Angeles.”
“Glory be! then the sojers must be in the saddle right now!” burst out Perk, with enthusiasm.
“If the arrangement went through without a miss that’s like enough a fact,” admitted Jack; “the way my plan’s arranged everything must go off with the regularity of machine work, each separate part dovetailing, so as to work in full sympathy. If anything lags, and goes amiss, it’s apt to throw the whole scheme out of gear, you understand.”