“Whereabouts?” demanded the other in a flash, for there was something he could detect in Perk’s squeal that would indicate a discovery of more than usual importance.
“Right down in the ditch—look ahead, an’ you’ll see it! Boy, if that ain’t a airship lyin’ on the sandy shore o’ the river, I’ll eat my hat! An’ yes, by gum! there’s a man standin’ alongside wavin’ somethin’ white like a flag o’ distress! Oh my stars, c’n it be possible we’ve run on to poor Buddy Warner so clost to help an’ him stuck there like a pig in a poke all this while? Jack, whatever c’n it mean, do you reckon?”
Jack was rather startled by what his comrade was saying, but as always proved himself quick to act.
“Take over the stick Perk, and give me the glasses. I must see for myself what it means. A plane down in that big hole, close to the edge of the rushing river and only a mile or so from help—it seems incredible—why, as I understand from what I’ve heard and read, parties with their guides often spend a night in the canyon looking through those queer Indian stone houses and even wander along the river for some distance. Why, he never could be that close by all this time and his condition continue unknown.”
He was riveting his gaze upon the spot Perk had pointed to, and just as the other had declared, some one was making frantic gestures, waving a piece of white cloth and plainly asking them to drop down and rescue him or at least convey a knowledge of his desperate situation to those at the hotel.
The more Jack stared the greater did the mystery become in his mind. It simply could not be—there must be some other explanation to account for so unreasonable a condition. What should they do about it? The man kept waving his distress signal, and possibly was at the same time shouting something, to judge from his actions although of course his voice failed utterly to reach their ears.
“What’s goin’ to be done about it, eh partner?” Perk was saying as he swung in a great curve and again started to pass over the object of Jack’s scrutiny and bewilderment. “Do we leave him there, after comin’ so far to help the poor lad? Ain’t there a way for us to slant down an’ drop on that sandy shore his boat’s restin’ on? Bet every red cent I got it c’n be done, brother an’ you’re the boy to tackle the ticklish job.”
“Make still another circuit, Perk,” said Jack earnestly from which his companion judged he must be even then considering in his mind whether the proposed scheme were feasible or not.
“He keeps right along signalin’ to us not to desert him, Jack. Mebbe now ours ain’t the first ship to come sailin’ along an’ the others gave up any idea o’ landin’ in the ditch, so he’s getting a bit desperate—an’ hungry as all get out in the bargain. Must a’been three days since he was reported missin’ you remember, partner.”
Jack apparently was not wholly convinced. It might not be so difficult a task to drop down successfully, but being able to come up again would be a horse of another color, he figured. Then all at once he made his decision.