“A mountain,” sneered Frank. “There ain’t anything but mountains for hundreds of miles in all directions. We’ll be just west of the continental divide where the big Rockies turn the rivers to the Pacific and Atlantic. To the north of us you’ll see the Purcell range and west of us the Selkirks. The only place you won’t find mountains you’ll find snow-fed rivers and ice-bottomed lakes—”
“Sounds good, just now,” chuckled Phil drawing his handkerchief across his face. “But how are you goin’ to take a private car out there?”
“By sneakin’ through the mountain passes and crawlin’ along the canyon bottoms through snowsheds,” explained Frank. “There are little branch roads that leave the big lines and climb up and up.”
“And when they can’t go any further,” exclaimed Phil, “it’s ‘presto, change’ out comes the Loon and we’re off through the air.”
When Mr. Mackworth and his friends reappeared the latter carried no signs of the accident. After all had been made comfortable on the wide porch there was general talk for awhile and then, previous to dinner, the party began to separate into groups. Mrs. Graham carried her brother into the house; Mr. Graham and Lord Pelton began to discuss water plants, of which there was a fine collection in an artificial pool in one corner of the big yard and, for the first time, the boys found themselves alone with Captain Ludington.
“Mr. Mackworth says you’ve had all kinds of experiences with big game,” began Phil at once. “Won’t you tell us some of your adventures?”
“He can’t mean all kinds of experiences,” laughed the Englishman. “He means many kinds. That’s true. But I’m afraid they are a bit monotonous. In fact,” he continued modestly, “I’m afraid he exaggerates my hunting experiences. Really,” he went on, straightening up in his chair, “I’m quite sure we have better adventures before us in your airship than I have behind me. I’ve never gone in quest of any game with quite the enthusiasm that I have for this sheep shoot.”
“More’n tigers?” exclaimed Frank.
Captain Ludington smiled.