The time passed quickly enough, for there were a thousand things to tell on both sides. The aeronaut described his accident and related how he had lived through all the dreary months that had gone. Fortunately there did not happen to be any fierce wild beasts in the cliff bordered valley, and while he had had adventures with venomous serpents, fortune had stood by him.
He showed numerous little contrivances by means of which he had secured game enough to supply his needs. There were nuts in abundance and some wild fruits which, as a scholar, he knew the value of.
Water could be had in plenty, as a lovely stream flowed through the valley, diving down at one end and vanishing in the rocks, to find an outlet such as the human prisoner prayed for daily in vain.
Why, it was evening almost before Andy realized it, so quickly had the hours sped along. How proudly had his father asked all about the monoplane, which he examined with the most intense interest, knowing it to have been mostly made by the two enterprising Bird boys.
Prom the way in which he smiled and nodded his head after this survey it was evident that he was very well pleased with what they had done. And he also made them tell all about that famous race through the air to the hitherto unsealed crown of Old Thunder Top, which he remembered very well.
"And now, let's think of having a jolly little meal," said Frank, as the shadows began to lengthen down below the lofty cliffs, which was a pretty good indication that night could not be far away.
"Count me in," said Andy, jumping up, for it was his duty to get busy when the time came to make a fire and prepare a repast. "I guess we've got coffee for a few times yet, and I smuggled a can of Boston baked beans along when Frank wasn't looking, knowing that father used to be right fond of 'em."
"Coffee! Beans! Why, you fairly take my breath away!" exclaimed the one who for so many months had been deprived of all the comforts of civilization and forced to sustain his life in the most primitive manner.
When supper was cooking the professor made some excuse to wander off. Frank knew, though, what ailed him.
"It's the aroma of that blessed coffee, that's what," he said to Andy, who had looked a little troubled at this action on the part of his father. "It's been so long since he's smelled it that it just makes him wild. I know, because I had a little experience that way myself once, only it was two weeks I had to go without when we were camping and not many months. When supper's ready he'll come with a rush, mark me, Andy."