“Oh, you needn’t have been in any hurry. I was enjoying myself here. I never saw so many rare bugs in one town before, in all my life.”
“Well, are you ready to go on with us?” inquired the tall lad.
“Oh, yes, I suppose so. I must soon begin to search for my flying lizard amid the mountains. Yes, I am ready to go.”
Looking carefully to see that he still had the red-striped water bug, the professor gathered up his belongings, and, after paying his small hotel bill, left with Jerry.
Once more they started off, and all that night the Comet made good time, skimming along just beneath the clouds. The next two days were devoid of incident, and they covered a number of miles. Occasionally, in the next week, they descended to replenish their supply of gasolene and oil, or to buy fresh provisions. The ship was behaving admirably, and they expected, in about three days more, to reach their destination. They had telegraphed Jim Nestor, the veteran miner, that they would soon be with him.
They reached the first range of the Rockies late one afternoon, and that night began their flight across them.
“Just think of it, boys,” announced Jerry. “We’ll soon be over Pike’s Peak!”
“If nothing happens,” remarked Bob.
They recalled the remark of the stout lad the next day, when, as they were sailing along over a high range, there came a sudden snap, and one of the planes that had been damaged when Noddy had run away with the car, broke.
Instantly the Comet began to fall, since the gas bag was not filled to the usual capacity.