“Well he’s surely makin’ for this mountain,” Hal declared after a few moments of silence.
It certainly seemed true. The biplane was flying at an elevation slightly above that of the plateau, and did not waver in its course.
“We’ve got to get busy and make sure that he sees us,” Hal suddenly exclaimed. “He might fly right over this mountain without stopping unless we attract his attention. Take off your coats and wave ’em and make all the noise you can when he gets near.”
Hal set the example and the others followed. Soon the five mountain-top Crusoes were cutting the wildest capers imaginable and creating a noise with their throats that surely was loud enough to be heard within a hundred yards by the aviator in spite of the vibrations of his propellers.
The airship was making remarkable speed and in less than five minutes from the time it was first sighted, Johnson Miles glided gently down to a level spot not far from where the truant Scouts were capering about. They had forgotten their hunger, their tired condition, and their despair.
Such a jumble of excited questions as followed the alighting of the airship could hardly be represented without a phonographic record. The boys were eager to know how the aviator discovered them—did he know they were on the mountain?—and Mr. Miles was equally curious to learn how they had come there. Finally he said:
“Boys, I’ve brought you some food and water. You said you were hungry.”
That settled it. Mr. Miles had read one of the notes on the whistle-arrows. Naturally, they marveled at this, but Hal satisfied himself by concluding that one of the arrows had fallen into one of the vehicles at which he had directed his aim.
From the cabin of the airship, the aviator produced a large jug of water and a basket filled with sandwiches and other edibles. Eagerly the boys poured the cool liquid down their throats and then pounced upon the contents of the basket. For a while they did nothing but eat and drink, but at last Pickles inquired:
“How did you know we was here?”