CHAPTER XII

WHEN THE DAWN BROKE

When Jack thus decided it good policy to start riding that gigantic circle, reducing their speed at the same time, he knew it was really the only course left to them in order to kill time, until there arose a change in weather conditions, and the coming of daylight.

It would require the utmost skill and vigilance combined, thus to keep going over about the same line of travel, with naught to depend upon save his reliable instruments, aided by the deductions he must be continually making, with his eyes on the compass, the speed indicator, altimeter, and kindred apparatus by means of which, in conjunction, a clever pilot may cut circles around an objective at will.

All this when he has daylight to assist him, and can see the distant ground beneath; but when blinded by both fog and intense darkness it is "a horse of another color" entirely, and if successfully carried out may be considered on a par with a near-miracle.

"He c'n do it, if anybody's able," faithful Perk was assuring himself, as he sat and watched the other go through with motion after motion, doubtless mentally figuring up knotty little problems in arithmetic that would either prove the accuracy of his general plan of campaign, or cause him to correct any faulty upsets.

"Gee whiz! if on'y we could a climbed on that gink's tail, an' follered him to where he was agoin', what a soft snap it'd been," Perk was telling himself, as he imagined them climbing back to the level followed by the "mystery ship," and keeping on at just a certain distance, where their presence would not be betrayed by the commotion they caused; "but it's a hull lot too late neow to think o' tryin' that ere stunt aout; so what's the use figgerin' any more? 'Sides, they aint no chanct for even a pilot what knows his beans 'raound this pesky country, to drop daown, so long's this soup hangs over aour heads, under aour feet, an' plays the devil with things gen'rally. Jack's got it all laid aout, an' we're on aour way to Pike's Peak--er bust--mebbe so its jest plain _bust_!"

As the time drew on Perk found himself engaged in a peculiar game of guessing as to what the character of the ground below would turn out to be when they were given a blessed chance to view the same by the dispersal of the fog, and the coming of broad daylight.

He knew what it meant to be hovering over mountainous country, where all manner of weird canyons and dry water courses could be traced on the rough landscape--secluded haunt of the Rocky Mountain sheep, or big-horn; the savage silver-tip bear known also as the grizzly, most dreaded wild beast of the entire Americas, the claws of whom the Indians of the West always prized as mementos of their individual valor, when slain at close quarters, with the warrior living to tell the story of his triumph.

Then, too, he could imagine vast herds of the now almost extinct buffalo, seeking shelter and grazing during the winter in some sheltered valley among these same mountain ranges, where green grass might be found in abundance even during blizzard weather conditions.

Once he gave full play to his fertile imagination, and Perk would even forget the passage of time; and this was just as well, since nothing he could do would alter their situation in the slightest degree; besides, it prevented him from worrying, as he so often did.

Along about three o'clock--as he knew by consulting his wrist watch for the twentieth time since their start--Perk had another little bright thought--what was to hinder them from having a nice snack, just to kill time, and cause them to feel stronger for whatever might come along later on?

Accordingly he got out a certain small packet which he knew contained some sandwiches he had paid their waiter to have made up for them, as a souvenir of the much esteemed little restaurant in San Diego, city of the Dons.

Sitting there, and still keeping an observing eye first on Jack, and then sweeping it around the array of instruments fastened to the black dashboard in front of the working pilot, Perk enjoyed his little nightly repast as only a fellow with his splendid appetite might.

When he nudged Jack in the side, and offered him a tempting ham sandwich the other shook his head in the negative, as though he was quite too busy to take advantage of the offer.

Following this up he made gestures which Perk interpreting understood him to signify he might alter his mind later on, when the conditions had changed a bit for the better. That was just like Jack--he liked to eat, it was true, when hungry; but never allowed a mutinous stomach to cause him to take the slightest chance of neglecting his duty.

So Perk had to dine all by himself; but he generously kept one fair-sized sandwich for the time when his chum would feel like having a few bites; which might not be until he wished Perk to take his place at the controls.

It was a dreary round they were making now--like keeping time in the awkward squad in the training camp--going through all the motions without advancing the spark an atom--round and round in that big circle, as the hours dragged along on leaden feet, with Perk growing fairly wild to end it all, even by accepting unusual risks.

Five o'clock came at last, and Perk more than once strained his eyes in staring hard toward the east, hoping to be able to glimpse a faint sign of approaching dawn--just a peep that would make him feel better; but thus far all in vain.

Nor was he able to detect any let-up in the floating sea of murky fog--it hung about them most persistently, almost dense enough to be felt; indeed most of the time their faces were wet despite the fact that they were shut up in the closed cabin of their ship.

"Ev'rything must have an end," Perk told himself about this time; "an' I kinder guess naow that ole snap sayin' must be so; anyway, here's hopin' afore long naow I'll be squintin' at the sun apeepin' above the rim o' the world over yonder in the--yeah, it's east, okay, the compass she tells it. Gettin' sorter sleepy in the bargain; but shucks! nothin' doin' 'long that ere line till we're outen the woods, an' on ground safe'n sound agin."

Half-past five brought a little but welcome change in the monotonous situation. Perk was duly thrilled to discover what he believed to be a dim gleam of light piercing the shrouded east, which he fondly hoped was caused by the near approach of the early dawn.

He did not mention the welcome news to his ally, fearing lest it prove to be a mere stretch of that wonderful imagination of his, such as in times past had so frequently played him the saddest of tricks--no, it would really be wiser for him to bide his time, and make sure he was not turning out to be what he would call a "false alarm."

Despite his eager wish the faint light did not appear to increase to any extent; although Perk knew it must surely be about time for the dawn to break, if it ever meant to dispel the miserable pall of wet fog that had been like a blanket during the whole night--saving the hour or so they spent on the way before it gathered around them.

"If the tarnation thing gives me the merry ha! ha! neow, after I've shook hands with myself, I'll feel like jumpin' off, and tryin' aout my 'chute, that aint been aired for many a blue moon. But it stands to reason there _must_ be some sorter end to ev'ry night; an' I'll hold on a bit longer. Gosh amighty! what wouldn't I give to feel jest a whiff o' wind caressin' my cheek when I pokes my nose outadoors--but no sech good fortune--we're still in the soup for keeps, Jack 'nd me, wuss luck!"

Still it seemed as though his heart was set on seeing that dim line grow wider, and bringing with it fresh hopes of a change in the dull programme; judging from the way Perk continued to stare toward where he knew from the compass lay the eastern heavens.

Jack flew on, apparently quite oblivious to the wild yearnings that kept gnawing at the heart of his comrade. Thus far he had reason to believe they had continued on that circle, where fifty miles of running would fetch them back again to about where they had started to make a ring. He would fight it out on that line if it kept them going all the next day; but until they could see the ground, so as to find their bearings from certain landmarks expressly emphasized in the rude chart inherited from the missing brother of the Service, it was utterly useless to expect to get anywhere.

Some little time afterwards Perk, thinking to find out whether there could be a "whiff of fresh air" stirring outside, thrust his head from the partly open door, and sniffed eagerly.

The result was highly satisfactory, for he instantly discovered a most delightful thing--there was not only the fresh cold air to be expected at such a high altitude, possibly ten thousand feet at the time; but, in addition there came across his feverish face the sensation of a genuine _breeze_, blowing, as he quickly found out, directly from the south.

He could not resist keeping his head protruding, so as to make assurance doubly certain; and while thus engaged he chanced to turn and look toward the east again.

Something caught his eyes, and held him riveted, as if turned into a pillar of salt like Lot's unfortunate, disobedient wife.

"Hot-diggetty-dig! if that ere aint the mornin' star I'll eat my hat!" Perk told himself in great excitement.

It was most thrilling news he carried back with him when he ducked inside the cabin once more--news he felt absolutely positive would break down that icy reserve of his companion; and cause Jack to join him in giving vent to expressions of jubilation.

"Hey! c'n yeou beat it, partner?" he cried, as soon as he could get to the ear of his boon companion; and for the time being disdaining the help of the ear-phones; then he paused for breath, having in his excitement lost his grip, it appeared.

"Beat what?" roared the other, understanding from Perk's actions, together with the exultant tone of his raised voice, that something out of the common must have come about.

"Breeze started up!" whooped Perk, gulping in a supply of wind.

"Bully boy!" Jack sent back at him, managing to make himself understood above all the racket of motor and propeller, which was some triumph, since he did not possess the lung power that Perk boasted.

"And--yeou c'n see the ole mornin' star off in the east, showin' the dratted fog pack she's a liftin' by hunks; so, as the dawn's at hand we'll be okay!"