“Well, you two make a hardy, useful team, so make it so, if you like.”
Arrangements were made for the departure at once. It was understood that the Albatross would remain at its present landing place until the exploring party returned with the quicksilver, even if they had to consume considerable time in locating a town.
“I think we can make it and return by nightfall,” said the airman. “Don’t worry, though, if we are longer away.”
“No,” spoke the professor. “We can’t leave till we get that quicksilver, no matter how long it takes.”
A plentiful lunch, a compass, and a gun were gotten ready by the cabin man. Then, waving a cheery adieu to their friends, the airman and the boys started down the mountain side.
CHAPTER XIV
LOST
“It’s no use, Dave.”
“Why not?”
“We’ve shouted ourselves hoarse, and in this still air and the way we have kept up the hollering, anyone could hear us five miles away, it seems to me.”
“Then there is only one conclusion to arrive at,” observed the young aviator quite seriously.