“Yes, it was,” replied Mr. Miles. “He tipped over the carriage, broke loose and ran back to town. There he was caught and the arrow found sticking in his back. The person who found it took your note to Dr. Byrd.”
“Was Dr. Edwards hurt?” inquired Hal.
“Not much. Somebody overtook him just outside the cañon and gave him a lift, so he didn’t have to walk all the way home.”
Hal’s note tied to the arrow contained brief information of their predicament and also that they were hungry and thirsty. It did not, however, contain any details as to how they had been trapped over the waterfall cave and later reached the top of the mountain. Hence, they found it necessary to relate their experiences as soon as Mr. Miles had finished his story. Incidentally, the man discovered that Hal was running away, but he made no comment on the subject. Neither did he refer to the nugget episode, which he suspected to have something to do with the boys’ escapade.
Finally all the food was eaten, all the water was gone, and all the stories were told, and then Mr. Miles suggested that it was time to return to Lakefarm.
“How we going to go?” asked Ferdinand. “In the airship?”
“Sure. You boys all wanted a ride in it. Now you’ll have a chance to prove your nerve.”
“We can’t all ride at once,” objected Frank.
“Oh, come now, Bad, don’t back down,” admonished the aviator mischievously. “You know you cried out the loudest that you wouldn’t be afraid.”
“I ain’t afraid,” protested Frank angrily, “but you know there isn’t room enough for all of us.”