The two boys walked on in silence a moment. Finally the solemn Jerry, screwing his face into a look of pain, said:
“Mistah Bob, Ah’s feelin’ purty porely this evenin’. Ah got a kind o’ misery in mah back. Ah reckon Ah bes’ go git some med’cine.”
“Well?” said Bob, still keeping a straight face.
“Ah ain’t got no change. A reckon yo’ all couldn’t lend me fo’ bits till Ah gits to mah bank?”
“I reckon you’re right, Jerry. I could, but I won’t. You come on down to the schooner, and turn in, and your misery will be all right to-morrow.”
Bob found the taciturn Captain Joe enjoying his pipe in the cockpit of the schooner, and silently watching an odorous coffee pot simmering on the charcoal brazier. With the weather beaten seaman, he enjoyed an hour’s talk, and after a cup or two of Romano’s black beverage, gave directions for the next day, and returned to his hotel.
That day and the day before, the merchant from whom Bob had rented the old factory had visited the scene of the setting up. It was probably from this source that news of the aeroplane leaked out. Anyway, when Bob returned to the hotel, he found a reporter awaiting him. Remembering the exaggeration of the Pensacola reporter, Bob resolved to give no excuse for guesswork, and told briefly what the club meant to do.
To Bob’s relief, the reporter told the truth in his next morning’s story. Like as not the mere fact that a real aeroplane was ready for flight in Tampa was enough of a sensation for the young journalist. It certainly brought a mob to the factory that day. When Bob arrived, Gabe was struggling valiantly to control the good-natured sight-seers. And the crush grew worse as the day advanced. Gabe was finally sent for police assistance, and by noon, the immediate vicinity of the delicate airship was cleared.
Tom and Hal were due to arrive on the noon train that day. A little before that hour, Bob sent his few camp belongings down to the Three Sisters. Then, his mother accompanying him to the station in a carriage, the pretty well exhausted youngster awaited his fellow club members.
When the dust covered train drew into the station, a half hour late, Bob, worn out with the exertions and strain of the past five days, was sound asleep, his head on his mother’s shoulder. Jerry Blossom met Tom and Hal and piloted them through the hot sun to the carriage. Mrs. Balfour’s smile and raised finger suppressed the chatter of the newly arrived boys, and, with many whispers and chuckles, piling their suit cases alongside the driver and mounting Jerry on top of the bags, the other boys quietly took seats in front of the unconscious Bob and his mother.