“Glad to know you, fellows,” the aviator greeted, extending a hand.
“Pleased to meet you, Mister——” Bob began, but was interrupted.
“Karl, if you don’t mind,” the tall man laughed. “I don’t care for that ‘mister’ stuff. First name fits me good enough.”
“Good enough for us, too,” said Joe with a smile. “Call us Bob and Joe.”
These informalities tended to bring about a feeling of friendliness which was noticeable in the conversation that followed.
“Will you please explain how it all came about?” asked Bob. “This airplane stuff almost took Joe and me off our feet.”
“Off your feet you’ll be in a few days,” chuckled the aviator. “That is if you ginks are picked out to go with me in the plane.”
“If there’s any air traveling, we want to be in on it,” Bob assured him. “But—” he hesitated a moment—“how did it all come about?”
“I’ll tell you,” Mr. Lewis said. “Karl’s dad and I are very good friends—have been for many years. Now when Karl learned of this coming expedition, he at once looked me up and offered to take part of us in his monoplane. All that he’ll charge will be for the gas and oil, and he’ll pay a share of that. The fact that he is a licensed transport pilot makes the whole thing a pretty safe venture.”