But the savages were not there. When the three came to the curtain of vines which concealed the entrance to the passage, the forest seemed as still as it had been on the day of creation.
They moved out of the tangle and crept forward to the aeroplane, their lights now out entirely, and their automatics ready for use. They were soon at the side of the machine.
After as good an examination as could possibly be made in the semi-darkness, Sam declared that nothing had been molested, and that the Ann was, apparently, in as good condition for flight as it had been at the moment of landing.
“Why didn’t we do this in the afternoon, while the niggers were out of sight?” asked Carl in disgust.
“Sam said we couldn’t!” grinned Jimmie.
“Anyhow,” Sam declared, “we’re going to see right now whether we can or not. We’ll have to push the old bird out into a clear place first, though!”
Here the talk was interrupted by a chorus of savage shouts.
CHAPTER XXI.
THE MYSTERY OF THE ANDES.
The Louise and the Bertha left the field near Quito amid the shouts of a vast crowd which gathered in the early part of the day. As the aeroplanes sailed majestically into the air, Mr. Havens saw Mellen sitting in a motor-car waving a white handkerchief in farewell.
The millionaire and Ben rode in the Louise, while Glenn followed in the Bertha. For a few moments the clatter of the motors precluded conversation, then the aviator slowed down a trifle and asked his companion: