“I’d like to know what those crazy boys are doing!” exclaimed Mr. Havens, rather impatiently.
“They’re trying to catch that machine!” laughed Carl.
“But why should they take the chance of an accident by running at such speed in the night-time?” asked the millionaire. “There are holes in the air just as there are holes in the surface of the earth, and the first thing they know they’ll drop down about a thousand feet and tip over! It’s a risky proposition!”
“That’s what it is!” returned Carl shaking his head gravely. “It’s a risky proposition, and if you say the word I’ll jump on the Ann and go and tell them to come back!”
The aviator laughed at the innocent manner of the boy, and the Englishman regarded the two with a stare of wonder.
“I never saw anything like it, don’t you know!” the latter said.
“You’re likely to see something like it several times before you get out of the mountains!” laughed Carl. “Say, Mr. Havens,” the boy went on, “we don’t want that strange machine to come here and beat us in a race, do we? I don’t think the Louise is making much of a show, and so, if you don’t mind, I’ll take out the Ann and run ’em both down. It would be a lovely race!”
“I wouldn’t mind going with the lad, don’t you know!” exclaimed DuBois showing great excitement.
“If you do go,” replied Mr. Havens, “you’ll get fined a year’s salary if you don’t catch both machines!”
“Oh, I’ll catch ’em all right!” Carl exclaimed. “The Ann can run around both those old ice wagons, and then have plenty of time to spare!”