“Well, I can run back,” said Jack.
“He’s some jackrabbit, too,” Frank assured the young sailor. “You ought to see him in our school field meets.”
“Yes, but suppose you get five or six miles inland,” objected Robbins. “You couldn’t be back here in under an hour, and it would be more than double that time before we could get there with help.”
Big Bob looked thoughtful. Then he kicked against the side of the portable radio outfit at their feet.
“If only this weren’t so doggone heavy,” he said, “we might carry it with us, and give you a call when we discover anything.”
“I have it,” cried Jack delightedly. “The very thing.”
“What?” asked Robbins.
“Why, we can take that portable radio without any trouble at all. This creek runs back a considerable distance into the mountains through the canyon. We can set up the radio in a boat and go up stream that way. The trail is bound to parallel the stream. Moreover, we stand a better chance to proceed unobserved, for they will be watching the trail and not the stream.”
“Why not?” said Frank. “Looks like a good idea to me.”
“All right,” said Robbins, “if you fellows want to try it. Here’s a boat right here, tied to the pier. Let’s rig her up.”