XXV
AN OVERNIGHT BIVOUAC
Immediately the station took on an air of great commotion. Sergeant RedLowden had been given secret instructions to accompany the two airvoyagers, and was to go heavily armed, as for a battle. He was also toldto place his services entirely at the disposal of the young fellow, asto whose real identity he had been "put wise" by Perk, while Jack andthe commander had their little chat.
The horses were brought out from the log stable, supplies gathered andpacked, and everything done that was needful when a force was startingoff for "business at the old stand."
Of course Perk had met Dr. Hamilton, and been introduced under hisfictitious cognomen of "Smith." He seemed a bit awed in the presence Ofthe other, and kept watching him out of the tail of his eye--indeed,from that time on Perk showed signs of being deeply interested in thestrange man, for he would steal a glance in his direction, shake hishead as if "all balled up," to quote his own words as spoken later on;and then go into one of his rare silent spells as if cudgeling thoseslow moving wits of his.
Jack had of course taken occasion to tell Perk what the Colonel hadpassed along concerning the doctor; and being duly impressed with theneed of caution had solemnly promised never to evince the slightestcuriosity in connection with the unknown past history.
"Queer, how I seem to keep thinkin' I've met up with him somewhere orother," he managed at one time to mention to his chum, just before theygot word from Red Lowden that everything was ready for the start; "butshucks! that same could hardly be possible, since he on'y bobbed uphereabouts sixteen moons back, Red tells me; and I'd been out o' thiscountry a few moons 'fore that. Kinder guess I must be pokin' in thewrong prairie-dog hole, an' it's jest a case o' mistaken identity, assome calls it when you're follerin' the false trail. Let it go at that,partner; an' here comes Red to tell us we gotter to jump-off."
Jack had made all arrangements for his ship to be taken care of duringhis absence; whether it was for three days, a week, or even much longerthe commandant assured him nothing should happen to endanger theamphibian; which would lie there tied up alongside the river bank, withsome one keeping a jealous eye on the same day and night.
So they shook hands with Colonel Ascot, who wished them all success inthe undertaking they had planned out.
"Please God you may live to come back here later on, my friends," hesaid, with a warmth Perk had never seen him exhibit before; "and thatsuccess will attend you in this undertaking. Depend upon it the possewill follow after you as soon as it is practicable; and Red there willshow you how we leave a clue along the road as we go, for those comingin the rear to follow--that will be after you quit Frazer's, and startin on the real tough part of the trip."
Which assurance afforded Jack more or less satisfaction, for he somehowhad an idea they might find the bunch of desperadoes a bit too tough tobe successfully handled by such a small force; and be compelled to fallback until joined by the re-inforcements.
They mounted, and were off at a gallop, sometimes times in single file,and again doubling up when the trail widened in places.
Red took the advance, since he was so thoroughly acquainted with everyrod of the trail that led to the fur-trading post. Then followed Jack,with Perk at his heels, and the doctor bringing up the rear.
Whenever they struck a section where the trail broadened out Perk neverlost an opportunity to ride alongside his chum; and of course always hada few of his interminable questions to ask; just as though to him Jackrepresented an encyclopedia that could supply all his numerous wants, ifonly properly "tapped"--Perk being from Maine, must have many times mademaple sugar in the bush; and tapping trees for the sap evidently hadbrought him to ply the same methods when in need of information.
Perk had of course taken his faithful hand machine gun, being under theimpression that it would come in handy when the time for action arrived.So, too, had Jack fastened his fine repeating sporting rifle to hissaddle--it was just such a handsome weapon as he had always longed toown for hunting purposes, and hence he took advantage of his assumedpersonality to make the purchase--especially since generous Uncle Samwould stand back of the extravagance, since one could hardly expect topose successfully in the guise of an ambitious big game hunter unless hepossessed such a necessary Winchester.
After all the packages containing "grub" had been affixed to the saddlesof the party, Perk had come climbing out of the cabin of the shipcarrying what appeared to be a mysterious black leather hand-grip--justwhat it contained he did not attempt to explain even to his old-time palRed. As Jack however glimpsed the strange object he seemed to smilecomprehendingly, as if he might commend his comrade for going preparedfor great emergencies--of this matter more may be said later on, whenevents begin to thicken, and the air becomes saturated with excitinghappenings.
Although making good time Red was too old a campaigner to force things,especially at such an early stage of the journey. To be sure they stoodto reach Frazer's some hours after daylight at the earliest, and theraiders would have a long start of them; but as Red had confided toJack, he was in possession of more recent knowledge covering thesuspected secret lair of the looters; and besides, was he not theacknowledged peer of any Indian or halfbreed in all the Northwestcountry when it came to following a trail?
Jack was well satisfied with his chances for running the wily Hawk tohis hidden den; what came to pass after that had been accomplished mustdepend on how cleverly they could carry on, so as to catch the enemynapping, and pounce upon him unawares. While believing fully in hismaxim of being prepared, Jack was not the one to give himself uselessworry, leaving all that for the time when he must bring his reservepowers into play.
The afternoon fell away, with the sun dropping lower down the westernsky. In less than another hour they would find twilight encompassingthem, and must therefore pick out some likely camping spot, where freshwater would be handy, and plenty of desirable fuel nearby to keep theirfire during the coming night.
Later on Red began to keep his eye "peeled" for a site that possessed,in addition to rising ground, all these other requirements. He did notmean to let such a spot pass him by, even though the hour was stillearly, lest another could not be reached, and they must find themselvesdeprived of certain comforts--Red, you see, was a bit like Perk in thatrespect--he had great respect for his stomach, and would makeconsiderable other sacrifices in order that a proper cooking fire couldbe utilized, and a sufficiency of food prepared to fill the expectedvacuum.
Just a short time before the glowing ball of fire in the west sankbehind the upward thrust of the mountain peaks, Red gave a cry, and heldup his hand as a signal that the afternoon gallop was at an end.
A tempting little brooklet ran gurgling along its way alongside thetrail, and a finer campsite it would have been hard to find. The timberwas fairly thick, with a small open glade close by. The trees gaveconsiderable protection for travelers without a tent, or other shelter;but then Red and Perk knew how to throw up a rude shack from materialthat was conveniently handy, in case rain threatened, which was notlikely just then, these pioneers of the wide spaces agreed on thisspecial occasion.
Dr. Hamilton for one was glad the ride had come to an end; he did notpretend to be much of a horseman, and the constant contact with a hardsaddle proved anything but pleasant or agreeable to him, though never asingle word of complaint had escaped his lips.
Perk set about helping Red gather a pile of wood, after quenching histhirst at the brook, the water being as cool as they could wish. Theyhad been wise enough to fetch blankets for the crowd, and with a firegoing all night long, no one could reasonably complain.
Jack and the doctor sat there chatting on subjects that seemed to engagethem both, while watching with interest as the two others startedgetting supper. Taken altogether it was quite a cheery picture, as Jackcould not help remarking; to find that his companion quite agreed withhim; from which Jack decided that after all the physician
could not benaturally diffident to the charm of camping out, although admitting thathe was hardly more than a novice along those lines.
Perk certainly acted as if vastly pleased with the opportunity to get upanother open air meal--how he did detest those periods of partaking ofwhat he sneeringly called "flying fare" such as became necessary sooften while he and Jack were on the wing, and putting the miles behindthem when on business bent--if he had his way about things they wouldhave landed at each and every day's end, and had their meals likecivilized human beings instead of "sky hoboes."
It was really a tempting supper that the pair of outdoor men managed toserve. They ranged along a convenient log, rolled into position by theculinary artists, always with an eye out for comfort; and here Jack andDr. Hamilton were given heaping pannikins of solid food, that tasted"pretty fine"; nor was the accompanying coffee anything to be scorned,for Perk certainly knew just how to brew it to bring out all its hiddenaroma, and tempt every one to come back for a second cup.
They sat there before a blazing fire and talked of many things; yetstudiously avoiding any and all reference to the one subject uppermostin the minds of at least three of the number--the chances of successthey might meet in endeavoring to track the reckless lawbreaker, knownas the Hawk, to his lair, and either taking him prisoner, or, if forcedto extreme measures, effectually winding up his audacious exploits byputting him under the sod.
Jack soon realized that his first estimation of Dr. Hamilton wasabsolutely correct; for the other entered into the conversation asthough pleased to meet up with one who was so well up in matters of theday as Jack proved to be.
They were all more or less fatigued by the hard three hours' gallopalong the twisting trail, over mountain slopes, and through valleys thatlay between; so it was not long before first the doctor made up hisblanket bed and crawled within; then Jack a little later followed suit;and finally, after fixing the campfire so it would continue to burn forsome hours, Perk and Red also "kicked off," as the former expressed it.After that silence deep and profound fell upon the scene, where nearbythe horses securely hobbled cropped spears of grass such as they couldreach; and in the end also settled down for a complete rest.
The Sky Pilot's Great Chase; Or, Jack Ralston's Dead Stick Landing Page 25