CHAPTER XXII.

FRANK TO THE RESCUE.

All the Americans arose early the next morning, for they were resolved, if possible, that the day should see Bob’s rescue carried out; at least, should see it begun.

Nothing untoward had occurred during the night; the guards at the river reported no danger from the direction of Athensi, and those in charge of the airplane, when relieved by two Arabs whom Stone and the boys accompanied, reported the night had been uneventful. Leaving the two Arabs in charge, the three young Americans returned to the grove, where their own camp was maintained, and found Mr. Hampton and Ali had breakfast ready, consisting of coffee, bacon and flapjacks. All ate with relish, and then turned their attention to plans for the day.

It had been decided that, if in the gladiators’ quarters at Athensi Bob had managed to set up his radio receiving apparatus, he would already be aware of plans under way for his rescue, for he would have been able to listen in on the conversation between Stone and the camp the day before. Nevertheless, Frank broadcasted a message, telling Bob to look for them that day, in the hope that it would reach him, and adding that he would call later to give him definite details. Then he rejoined the group, poring over the map of Athensi drawn by Amrath.

The latter, accompanied by Jepthah and Horeb put in an appearance while the Americans were bent over the map, and a lengthy discussion of ways and means followed.

Athensi lay in a high interior valley. On one side it was built right up to the edge of a steep precipitous bluff at the foot of which flowed the river, which, rising in the mountains behind, flowed through a series of natural tunnels through intervening mountains until, emerging in the valley of Korakum, it disappeared under the Great Mountain Wall to reappear none knew where.

On this side there was no need for walls, as the bluff itself could be scaled only by means of a series of ramps constructed in zigzag fashion, with towers at every turn. On the other three sides it was enclosed by high stone walls, which the revolutionists said were kept in a good state of preservation.

In the middle of the city, a crowded mass of poor huts and houses sheltering fifty thousand people reduced by the Oligarchy to a state of serfdom, was a great open space, two-thirds of which was occupied by the citadel, the library, the temple, a pyramid on top of which stood an altar where the sacrifices were held, and the half dozen great palaces of the court, all surrounded by a wall. The remaining third of this great space, outside the wall, was taken up by the Coliseum. It was of stone, oval in shape, and in it were held the annual Sacrificial Games.

“Under those tiers of seats are the gladiators’ quarters,” explained Amrath, dabbing at the map with a forefinger.

“Then to get Bob, we’ve got to alight in the Coliseum?” asked Jack, drawing in a long breath as he realized the difficulties. “Whew.”

Mr. Hampton’s face was grave. Should he give his consent to such a procedure? Would it not be merely to throw away the lives of whoever made the attempt without effecting the rescue of Bob? It began to appear so.

“Amrath explained all this to me at the oasis,” said Stone. He sat back, quietly regarding Mr. Hampton. “But I’ve got a trick up my sleeve,” he added, “which puts a different complexion on the matter. I didn’t speak of this last night because there was no need or opportunity. But now let me explain.

“Amrath tells me,” he went on, “that the gladiators destined to participate in the games are taken out into the arena every morning and every afternoon for exercise. In the morning, the young Athensians who are to be paired with the outside gladiators are exercised. In the afternoon, the others.”

“Yes, that is so,” said Jepthah, and Horeb, who also spoke English, nodded.

“On a tower or platform in the middle of the arena a group of a dozen Janissaries mount guard,” continued Stone, looking to the young Athensians who confirmed him with nods. “If the gladiators should plan a concerted revolt and attack the Janissaries, they would be out of luck. Without firearms, they would be shot down by the Janissaries without a chance.

“Now,” he continued, “if I had no means of combatting the Janissaries, of putting them out of commission, in fact, I’d be out of luck, too. The minute I landed in the arena, they’d open fire. But—” He paused and glanced about at the tense faces of his audience, every man of which hung on his words. “But,” he continued, “what would you say to dropping gas bombs on them?”

This was the “trick or two up his sleeve,” of which he had spoken. Its effect was magical.

“Have you any such?” demanded Frank, excitedly.

“A half dozen of ’em,” said Stone, complacently. “Enough to put the Janissaries to sleep with lots left over. I’ll drop a gas bomb on their platform, and if I miss I’ll drop another. I can fly low above them, because I’ll have nothing to fear except their rifle fire, and the old buss is sheathed to protect it against that. So there will be no reason to miss.”

“But where did you get these gas bombs?” asked Mr. Hampton, recovering from his surprise, and beginning to show the relief he experienced as the possibility of effecting Bob’s rescue again grew bright.

“Hooked ’em from the Spaniards,” said Stone, unashamedly. “I had a run-in with my commander over the justice of his cause, and as I had to leave without my pay, I took along the bombs and an extra supply of gas to compensate. Loaded the drums of gas in the old buss. The plane’s mine, you know. Bought it in France at an auction of surplus war supplies, but that’s another story.”

The eyes of Jack and Frank sparkled.

“Come on, let’s go,” shouted the latter, leaping to his feet.

“Hurray,” yelled Jack. “We’re on our way.”

“Wait a minute, wait a minute,” said Roy Stone. “It’s only a sixty-mile flight to Athensi, and we’ll be there in less than an hour. We have got to wait, and to time our departure so as to arrive at the hour of exercise this afternoon. Even then our friends here”—indicating the young Athensians—“may have guessed wrong as to the time of exercising the alien gladiators, and then we’d be up the spout.”

Jepthah shook his head in negation.

“Procedure in Athensi never changes,” he said. “Two hours after midday the alien gladiators are taken into the arena for exercise and training. It has always been so.”

“Good,” said Stone, “then we start at half past one to the dot. Now to settle who goes. One of you boys will have to go to fly the plane. I’m the only one who can drop the gas bombs, so that lets me out of the flying. And one of the Athensians will have to go as guide. Amrath wants the job, and, as I can _parlez vous francais_ and so can understand him, that’s all right. Now which of you two fellows takes the stick?”

“Frank,” said Jack instantly.

He himself was dying to undertake the flight, but he knew the depth of affection between his two comrades, and not for worlds would he have deprived Frank of the chance to rescue Bob. Frank, who had remained silent, regarded his chum gratefully and reaching out squeezed his hand hard.

“All right,” said Stone. “Frank it is. We can take only three, because we need the fourth seat for Bob coming back. And now,” he added, rising, “let’s go down to the old buss and tune her up, give her a good overhauling, and run her around a little with you at the stick, Frank, so you learn her tricks.”