Airplane Boys in the Black Woods

nap

old Indian, or whatever he was, in the neighborhood because of course that meant that the spot was not so isolated as it appeared and in all likelihood there were others living close by. But for the appearance and disappearance of the mysterious old man the Flying Buddies would not have felt the need of such caution and he could have been confident tha

who had taken him in charge after the accident in the snowy fastness of the Andes, and Ynilea, the Laboratory man at the Don's had said that the Big Boss, frightened at the repeated disasters which had befallen many of his men and undertakings, had taken himself out of the country, but the Sky Buddies were c

mited wealth, he'll figure, isn't to be passed up, and this time he'll cook up some schemes that may work better than the others." Bob grinned to himself at the idea, then through

re was more time. Nearly two hours had been consumed and the younger boy had made half the circuit when he reached a section where there were almost no large trees, although those which grew on both sides were so heavy with branches and foliage that the arch above was as thick as a roof. In the space there seemed to be more fallen trees and rocks than elsewhere. Besides, there was a good deal of young growths, slender saplings and brush, also rather a heavy hanging, like a great curtain of vine

tecting curtain. But, before he could advance another inch, his quick ear caught a sharp whistling sound which he thought must have come from Jim's lips, but before he could turn about, something dark cu

he must be mistaken for he had never seen nor heard of anything like it. Through the queer storm he could see Jim crouched near the helicopter, the looped lariat hanging from one hand and his mouth open as if he had been about to yell a warning which had frozen on his lips. Quickly Caldwell's eyes swept to where Jim's w

the protection of the swinging vines it was like observing the strange spectacle through a window. None of the insects landed within a couple of feet of him, but beyond the air was like a swirling blanket which effec

n near the machine. Probably, safely hidden from the view of the Indians he could climb into the cock-pit and prepare to take immediate flight, then Bob wondered if the mass of insects would interfere with a take o

tance from the Indians who could do nothing more until the air cleared. Then he recalled that the natives were doubtless familiar with the locality, they were the best woodsmen in the world, and the three might, even now, be making their way to him. The idea wasn't a cheerful one, and Bob turned his eyes in the direction he thought he had left his Buddy, then stepped forth. He had hardly

you?" It was Jim, not one of the nat

" he a

ped beside him

ow

around the edge but I was afraid

the engin

t, not ours,"

ng and we'll

ther plane a

o not see us," the older boy responded. "Great g

It's like

and the Buddies bent forward prepared to start, but by that time the approaching plane

d better stay here?" Bob suggested. "

uge bulk only a few feet away. To get by it without being seen would mean some maneuvering and good luck aplenty. The boys scowled, b

ugs," one of the

f a dozen passengers in the plane who climbed out of t

t where we

ame a more che

you mean," s

p from your tail; whether you were going or coming, upside down o

hey got all over the plane and plastered everything, look at it, even my goggles are covered

he plane, I'd a pumped you full of lead, see. You can thank me that you aren't a sieve this minute.

else are you

you know

s a pla

pla

nes." At that announcement the

ob whispered, tugg

the live insects had struggled on, while only a few who could go no further, fluttered to the ground, which was white with their fallen mates. I

," he gasped i

y one of the gang, and a tall ugly looking customer who car

ng here?" the tal

uch as you did, I re

This was probably the pilot who

rced you down, what you doing over here? Come on, speak out, and re

d angrily. "I'm not reaching t

threateningly, then one of

an in the crowd who gave the order and he s

the vegetation," B

ail from?" Jim's foot sought his step-broth

mmediately he wished he had

ou'll never know how glad we are t

with a cheerful grin, but both of the boys

ever be able to say we run across you in these parts. It'll be our little secret." He turned to his

, give us

kids we need in our business,

nt we go

s own lit

s. Aint that t

didn't

ttle man, then turned to

ou, studying t

hese here Honduras is full of vegetables,

you or not, it's the truth. My brother is interested in things that grow out of the g

was lookin' fe

yourself what we are doing." Bob proffered the book which was bulky with

ng in your possession we want; that t

ube of any kind

thoroughly but not a tube did they find and the

and two others raced to the machine, and in a moment it was bei

e thing," the

mean. Where is that tube?" He pressed the weapon to Jim's

e a tube,"

did and you

your shirt. We had a report tube we were taking

do you

y been stolen,

n were crowding around no

yours, I recko

man whirled on the

at gat,

" the little

amed Arthur Gordo

zes is Gordon?" dema

" the tall m

his hide. When d

s in a big plane, dropped on the wings and drove us off the c

wasn't risking his neck by dropping on you o

u got to make up a better

n hurt himself and is la

the tube, then y

t a chance,"

h them lariats and do a good job. They got out of some tight holes,