CHAPTER XXVIII

INVADING THE TIGERS' LAIR

Having thus decided to begin work that same night, naturally Jack and his best pal were more or less concerned as to what the weather promised.

As aviators they had become accustomed to securing the very latest Government report as to the probabilities ahead, so that by now this had become a habit. The knowledge that there was a strong likelihood of a dense fog along their proposed route--perhaps signs of a war of the elements, not only put them doubly on their guard, but often proved of value in meeting and overcoming the threatening danger.

In this instance they had no weather sharp to give them a clue, founded on late wires from different points, as to the velocity of the wind, its direction, the chances of snow or rain, perhaps electrical disturbances in the bargain--now everything must depend on their own ability to figure things out through taking note of the heavens, and kindred storm indicators.

Jack was a fair weather prophet himself, though never so bold as to claim absolute perfection; yes, and Perk too prided himself on knowing considerable, also able to tell when any severe upset was in the offing--though it must be confessed he was rather inclined to depend on an aching corn, or some sort of queer itching in his joints, to be able to prophesy a sudden change in prevailing conditions.

So they studied the sky, noted the passage of certain types of clouds, as well as several other heralds of the weather in prospect; and finally agreed that, unless something came along to materially affect matters, they could reasonable expect quite a lengthy spell of seasonable weather.

At any rate the fact that both reached the same conclusion was looked upon as promising double insurance--several days would surely see them through their big job, and that was all they asked.

Accordingly, having settled that part of the arrangement, they started for their underground retreat, feeling that thus far everything seemed to be working in their interest.

Perk was looking wonderfully pleased, and Jack could give a good guess just why this should be so. It had been arranged that on this fateful evening, when their mission was on the eve of taking a fresh spurt, Perk was to be permitted to actually _cook a meal_--such as the camp larder allowed.

He had asked his comrade concerning the possibility of the odors betraying their hiding place; and Jack told him there was not one chance in a hundred of such a thing coming about.

"Already you've been smoking in our cave, and the odor of your tobacco must have floated out to the open air; but from what we've learned no one ever comes up this way--those lazy panhandlers down there wouldn't bother themselves to scout around. So its perfectly safe to fry your bacon, and even make coffee--if you've got any sort of a vessel to contain the same."

"Jest leave all that to little Perk, Senor Jack," the other told him, in half suppressed excitement; "I'm the lad as kin sling the hash to beat the band. My innards air yellin' fur a gen-u-ine hot meal, 'cause cold stuff doant seem to touch the spot. Git ready to give yeour tummy a treat fur a change."

They were back in the cavern when this little discussion took place; and no sooner had a decision been reached than Perk commenced his preparations; Jack meantime busying himself with pencil and paper, figuring out certain little problems connected with their programme for the night.

Later on Jack began to lift his head, and turn anxious glances toward his busy comrade, meanwhile sniffing the atmosphere, and faintly _smiling_--when a healthy young man, accustomed to feeding on first-class chow, day in and day out, is forced by reason of unusual circumstances to partaking--in limited quantities at that--of cold meals, with an extremely minute bill of fare in the bargain, naturally when once again catching the appetizing whiff of frying rashers of prime bacon, also sliced potatoes; and above all the thrilling odor of boiling Java coffee, how could he help displaying his joy at the prospect of such a coming treat?

The realization was quite as good as the anticipation, only it must be confessed that when they had dutifully scraped the pan absolutely clean, and squeezed out the last drop of the ambrosia Perk had brewed in some sort of a hobo empty quart fruit-can, that chanced to be aboard their ship, neither of them felt filled to capacity.

"Never mind," Jack remarked, observing the rueful expression on his chum's face, and watching him rubbing his stomach, as if to show how far from being distended it was; "the _sample_ was extra fine. Just hold your horses until we get back to town, and then the sky is the limit. Get that, pard?"

"Thanks, awfully, Jack, ole hoss; I'm agoin' to live on promises fur a short spell; but oh! baby, aint the fur bound to fly when I get workin' my jaws reg'lar onct again?"

After that they lay around and waited, for a certain length of time must elapse before it would be safe to start operations.

Perk asked numerous questions, since as usual certain matters seemed a bit hazy in his mind, never as speedy as that of Jack to grasp things. Despite these breaks the time hung heavily on their hands, for careful Jack refused to pay any heed to all the long sighs that welled up from Perk's heart, with the object of hastening the decision.

Finally, when the impatient one was writhing as if actually in pain, Jack took compassion on him.

"I reckon we might just as well make a break, buddy; once down at the outlet we can do the balance of our loafing, until it looks safe for us to start. That ought to be well along toward midnight, all depending how soon those noisy card players break up, and hit the hay."

Earlier in the evening there had been considerable loud talking, calling, and singing among the confederated fugitives; but already much of this was stilled. A number of them, however, seemed to be gathered in the dining hall, gambling--these evidently were the lucky players; those who had already turned in the ones who had in previous bouts been cleaned out, and must hold themselves in check until another foray had been carried out, with fresh plunder divided up among the members of the lawless community.

Lying there at the crevice that formed a back door to their wonderful cave, the two sky detectives listened, and whispered to each other; meanwhile keeping a close watch on the big log-cabin, where lights could be seen through an opening serving as one of the rude windows, destitute of glass, and closed in cold weather with wooden shutters.

"When the last game is played out," Jack was saying under his breath, for they were not so far removed from the rough shack in question that talking in ordinary tones would be exceedingly risky; "it's the habit of Simeon as sexton and cook of the central ranch, to shut up shop, turn out the lamp and then limp around to the tent where he sleeps, a pretty tired man I'd say. We want to be on hand to give him the tip that strangers are inside the barricades of the valley. Then, when he knows who's come to his assistance we can start to make up our plans for the big break."

"Yeou doant kinder guess Simeon he might give us away in his excitement, eh, partner?" Perk asked, anxiously, always scenting trouble, it seemed.

"Not on your life, partner," Jack assured him. "Simeon has been in the service for a good many years, and learned to control his emotions, no matter what happens. You'll not hear a whisper from his lips when we speak his name--I'd stake anything on that."

Presently, from indications they believed the last three men had emerged from the dining hall; some one was moving about within, which Jack felt certain must be the prisoner who had been forced to play the part of general servant, possibly to humiliate him for his attempt to break up the gang.

"It's time we moved along," whispered Jack, with which remark he crawled out upon the little ledge, and commenced the rather hazardous task of backing down the incline, each movement being executed with extreme care.

It turned out just as they had anticipated, for the sloping ledge kept on to the level of the valley bed, although it must have been next to impossible for any one to distinguish its presence from the level ground.

Jack led the way, and they were close to the tent, when the last light vanished in the big cabin near by. Presently, just as Jack had figured with such exactness, a dim figure came slowly around the corner, almost colliding with the crouching pair.