“I wouldn’t be surprised if we got a fair-sized blow later on,” Jack told him as their ear-phones had been adjusted in order to permit an exchange of opinions and also allow them to work in common.
Perk shot a look skyward and noticed the clouds were actually growing blacker and more menacing. But that meant nothing in his care-free life. If the wind began to bother them it would be a simple thing to climb above the storm and keep merrily on their way, leaving the overcharged clouds to deluge the land beneath with their contents.
Perk was very still for some little time and seemed to be paying particular attention to something that had attracted his notice.
“I say, partner,” he suddenly said, and Jack could tell he was agitated for some reason or other.
“Yes, what is it, Perk?” demanded the pilot.
“I don’t just like the looks o’ it, that’s what!” exclaimed the other.
“Nothing more than a summer squall, with some fireworks thrown in for good measure, Perk. I’m surprised at you, old man.”
“You’re gettin’ me wrong, ol’ hoss,” burst out the other, “I ain’t referrin’ to the weather, which don’t disturb me a whiff—it’s that silly little canoe down yonder an’ sure as shootin’ it’s a gal in it wavin’ a white flag o’ some kind!”
“What’s that, boy?” cried Jack, startled somewhat by Perk’s last words.
“A punkin-seed boat, such as no sensible person’d use on such a big sheet o’ water as this here Salt Lake and she don’t seem to have any paddle at work either, that I c’n see—mebbe now it’s got broken an’ thar she is three miles out from shore with the wind blowin’ her further all the while!”