“O. K.,” said Bob quickly, and then, with a sudden thought, added: “How about the tank that leaks? Can we have it repaired in Cartagena?”
“Yes. That is, I’d think so. Why didn’t you and Mr. Wallace find out while you were there?”
“Upon my word, I never thought of it,” confessed the naturalist sheepishly. “And I’m sure Bob didn’t. But we could easily have inquired. After seeing the city, I’m inclined to think the tank can be repaired there.”
They found a little later that Mr. Wallace was right. At the first garage they entered, they were informed that the tank could be repaired.
It was necessary, however, for the garage man to take his welding outfit over to the monoplane, which was in a field quite a distance away. For this he explained he would be compelled to make an additional charge, but the others, knowing there was no other way out, did not object.
When the tank was mended and had cooled an hour or so, it was filled to capacity with gasoline. The spare was also filled, and then the explorers were ready to resume their journey.
A little crowd of people had assembled to see the monoplane off. They waved a friendly farewell as it soared high into the sky.
“Now I wonder if we’ll have any more trouble,” mused Bob. “Or will we have good luck and get to the Andes without much delay?”
Across jungle, plains, and hills they flew for well over an hour. Then they caught sight of something in the distance that thrilled them with delight.