Except for the three naturalists, the scientists boarded the same train for Cuzco. Mr. Wallace and the youths’ fathers were to accompany Karl and Bob and Joe in the monoplane. With Mr. Lewis in the cabin, there would be an added load, but Karl told them it would not be dangerous.
“Just have to watch the take-offs and the landings more closely,” the aviator explained. “Outside of that, we’ll never know that another person is inside, as far as the ride goes.”
“Won’t ride any easier?” queried Joe, trying to appear innocent.
“Quit your kidding!” snapped Karl with a laugh. “This bus isn’t an automobile.”
“But a bus is an automobile,” said Joe persistently.
He dodged a pass that Karl swung at him. Then, seriously, he turned to the others, who were busy attending to minor tasks about the airplane.
“Everything’s ready,” announced Mr. Wallace, stepping inside the cabin. “Suppose we get started at once, so as to get there and look around some before the others arrive by train.”
Karl was willing. He climbed into the cockpit and started the engine. Mr. Holton, the last to enter the cabin, closed the door tightly just as the monoplane began rolling over the field.
“We’re off for Inca land!” shouted Bob excitedly, raising a motion-picture camera to his shoulder. “And won’t we have fun!”