“You’re wanting to know what we’re going to do with you.” The General looked at Austin and leered. “Well, Buddy, we’re taking you for a ride.” Jim caught his breath sharply for he had read that among gangsters being taken for “a ride” meant nothing more than being killed.
“But these people have done—”
“Aw, you gotta suspicious nature, Buddy. We’re taking you for a real ride, in an ary-plane.”
“Them’s the boss’ orders. You kin rest yourselves ten minutes, then we’re startin’,” the Admiral volunteered, and the Flying Buddy gave a relieved sigh. They were probably being taken to the “Boss” whoever and whatever he was, and while there was no telling what fate had in store for them later, at least they were in no immediate danger of being bumped off.
“We ain’t tyin’ you up, or nuthin’ like that, but we’re tellin’ you that these here woods is got a lot of Peruvian tigers scattered round in ’em and they ain’t tame cats. That’s only case you get a notion to do any runnin’.”
“Thanks,” Jim grinned. At least the pair did not appear to be so blood-thirsty as other members of the gang he had encountered, and this was something to be mighty grateful for.
The next few minutes were devoted to packing a roll of equipment into a pair of blankets, and with an eye to some possible future need, the General added the four chutes to the rest of the stuff. What food was left from their own meal was pressed on the prisoners, who ate it gratefully, especially Jim who felt as hollow as a gun barrel. At last they were ready to start, the fire was stamped out and the charred coals scattered, but as he stood waiting, the boy noticed a white mark on one of the nearest trees. The Admiral had a small flashlight which he used to see that nothing was left behind, then taking a larger one from his pocket, he started around the rock.
“Ladies first,” he nodded to Mrs. Gonzalas, who obediently fell in after the man. Jim came next, then the brothers, and the general brought up the rear.
Both the guards had their guns in hand, and a roll slung over their shoulders, but it wasn’t fastened in any way, so Jim decided they were not going very far. Probably to some nearby open space where the plane, or planes were waiting. If there was only one it would have to be pretty large to carry them all, and the boy wondered, as they proceeded through the black forest, if the machine or machines were the ones that had been used to chase him earlier that night. He thought it must be long after twelve o’clock, but he realized that things had happened in swift succession and had not consumed as many hours as they seemed to. The flashlight, one in front and the other behind, made weird shadows of their movements and cut a sharp trail through the woods. In five minutes they reached the foot of a cliff, and the Admiral made his way straight to a narrow trail which reminded Austin of cattle trails in Texas, and they began to climb. Soon they were on a stretch of table land, and from somewhere came the dismal howl of a coyote.
“Oh,” Mrs. Gonzalas shivered as the cry was taken up by other beasts, and she edged nearer to the men.