"Ashes to ashes,
And dust to dust,
If the Huns don't get you
An old stove must."
Nevertheless, despite his unpleasant experience, Carew's efforts had been successful, and he had, indeed, imparted the spark of life to the fire. It was now crackling and blazing right merrily, to the accompanying sizzle of the frying ham and eggs. And in five more minutes the four young men were seated at table, putting those same ham and eggs beyond hope of redemption. There was nothing whatever the matter with their appetites.
"Well, you haven't yet told us what you learned while you were out scouting around this morning," Fred Bentner prompted Big Jack.
"Nothing definite, of course," Carew replied. "But everybody's here, ready and anxious for the hop-off. The Henryson people are awfully confident of the staying powers of their single-engine machine; and the Falcon crew is just as strong for that type. But I want to tell you that for both speed and endurance, as well as for safety and emergencies, I believe our dual motor hydro has got them all topped, and that, all other things being equal, we'll beat them to it when the real contest comes."
"Righto!" echoed Andy Flures.
"And may that not long be delayed," added Donald Harlan.
"Were you down to the freight station?" Fred asked, seeming naturally to take the rôle of interrogator.