“You’re the only square man I ever met in my life. I like your style. I’m going ter turn over a new leaf an’ do better.”
Then Dooley and his men set out to the eastward for the head waters of the Paraguay where they had boats. None of the aerial voyagers ever saw them again.
But one thing more now remained to be done to complete the success of the trip.
This was to find the source of the Transient Lake and if possible discover an explanation of its curious appearance and disappearance.
For full one hundred of the two hundred miles of its width the air-ship sailed over the lake. They were now very near the centre.
And here a mighty circular bowl-shaped basin was seen. It had curious galleries leading down into the earth.
These were cut out of the solid rock. This basin covered hundreds of acres. The air-ship was here brought to a stop.
“Here,” said Frank, positively, “this is the outlet of the lake, if anywhere.”
Nicodemus gave the place a critical glance. Then he said succinctly:
“Skipper, you’re right!”