Jerry and Ned were awakened early the next morning by hearing Bob moving about the airship. It was so very early that it was scarcely light, and, for a moment they could not imagine what was going on.
“I say, what’s up, Chunky?” demanded the tall lad, leaning on his elbow in the comfortable bunk of the aircraft. “It can’t be time for breakfast; is it?”
“It isn’t light yet,” added Ned. “What’s the matter, Bob? Can’t you rest?”
“I can sleep as good as you fellows,” was the retort, “and I don’t see why, every time I move around, you think I have either got to eat a meal, or start cooking one. I’m getting tired of it.”
“I should think you would be, Bob,” commented Jerry, with dry sarcasm. “But, seriously now, what is going on?”
“I’m going to start looking for the rest of the nuggets, that’s all.”
“Why, they won’t run away,” declared Jerry, somewhat astonished at the unusual energy displayed by the stout lad. “Can’t you wait until after grub?”
“The quicker we find them the sooner we can start back home,” replied Bob. “That is why I got up so early. I want to begin the search as quick as it’s light enough to see, and it soon will be.”
“You must have some reason for the haste,” put in Ned.
“I have.”