“Ain’t she ready to take the air, Boss?” he finally demanded when he could stand it no longer, whereupon Jack looked up smilingly and nodded.
“Everything’s as fine as silk, brother, and since it’s getting along, perhaps we’d better be on our way.”
“Huh! that’s the line o’ patter I’m longin’ to hear from you, partner,” Perk broke out in positive relief. “I’m a bit leery ’bout puttin’ in a second night alongside this lake. Might have a twenty-foot anaconda drop down on us while we sat outside an’ smoked. Now don’t tell me they ain’t no sech animal hereabouts, ’cause I know that as well as you do but just the same I’m glad we’re goin’ to climb outen here pronto.”
XX
THE FUR-TRADING STATION
Possibly Perk may have been a little troubled in his mind lest they run up against difficulties when trying to climb out of that tiny valley walled with those titanic mountains massed all around.
His faith in the ability of his comrade to surmount ordinary difficulties and aviation perplexities buoyed him up and he failed to register any outward signs of undue anxiety.
His confidence was well placed for aided by the excellent working of the crate’s slotted wings and his knowledge concerning their control, Jack was enabled to start boring up toward the sky almost as soon as the amphibian quitted the placid bosom of the crystal lake.
A few circles and they had risen so that it was possible to see beyond the peaks by which they were surrounded.
“That’s the boy—beautifully done, I’ll tell the gapin’ world—an’ what a good feelin’ it gives a flyer to know he’s on the wing once more after bein’ knocked down by a dead-stick swattin’ him. Glad now I snapped off them two pictur’s jest when we was leavin’ the lake under us.”
“Same here partner,” chimed in Jack, “for I’ll always have a kindly feeling for that little cup of water set in that hole among the mountains like it might be a precious diamond in a platinum ring.”