Airplane Boys in the Black Woods

os

u waiting for?" L

eir arms loose," th

slide with

The fellow's teeth chattered and the wea

. I'll meet him

oin' ter pump you full of lead, and your buddy t

reatest care, but his heart was in his throat as bits were knocked off. He had gone almost half the

y, then wriggled back. Half an hour later Bob was over safe

s scared stiff. Loosen my arms, or Jim's, then we can get him with the lariat and

er there," L

d suspiciously. "I ai

ehind the man and he glanced fearfully over his shoulder. Mills had started

rays were directed on the knot while the rest stood impatiently watchi

se k

for?" called the m

on, we're going t

closer quickly, rose from a deep moan to a shrill wail that filled the narrow

hold

came nearer, louder, and more terrible. With a shriek he flung himself astride the log, his body flat, his

triking out like a floundering swimmer, sending a shower of rotten ti

men stood astride the end trying to swing a long vine to the hands of their comrade. He bent forward and threw the long twining end

t," Lang

s, sending a shower of chips into the abyss and at the same time, the awful unearthly cry came again. Another panic-stricken lunge, the log creaked dismally, pa

tly, and there was genuine regret in his tone. It was a tragic situa

ng's bac

t is only wind

do you make

tside or something happened to let in a good breeze. It

Mills muttered

e. If you have been around the Andes much

and I'm getting out n

lead the way, they started forward again, but now the

, but although it was terrifying enough, the men grew less fearful of it and seemed to accept Austin's explanation as to its origin. The boy had thought it was the wind when he first heard it, but had kept silent partly because his opinion was not asked and partly because he felt that the bandits deserved a go

gure we'll get it first," B

snapped a man in the rear. "We

nervously. "This hole is spooky. Why in b

naging this," La

that the leaders expected to share any protection that the presence of the "Don's little pets" as he called them,

went on to Bob, who had stared back. "Your help is appreciated a lot you can see,

ew minutes. It's getting worse inste

My light won't last foreve

hem roundly. "I told you to have new lights, and to pack

ed the extras," the other admitted reluctantly. At

t you tell us to divide the stuff-well

nd somewhere in the forest, and who knows how we'll get bac

came the

in the narrow quarters with only the smallest light to pierce the gloom which surrounded them. The Buddies also let their feet slide from under them a

paper bag into Lang's lap, then went on quickly. The leader

st of the stuff

r hours with nothing in our

Mills snapped,

e of sandwiches en

et but the pair jumped

he Buddies whose food had been left in the plane on the hill, and whose stomachs were clamoring furiously. Presently the meal was finished to the la

y went on and on. By that time they were going through what appeared to be a grassy section of the forest. The passage wound among huge trees,

hat they got int

e. Presently they came to a section where piles of rotten vegetation lined both sides of the route, and by the dim light Lang cast ahead,

" Bob wh

y still. The four stopped horrified in their tracks. For minutes they stood staring too paralyzed to g

rry him on. Passing the spot they could see that their two companions had probably stumbled over the

stroy the snakes if they showed their heads. Beads of perspiration stood out on the four faces, and for the first time since they started, Lang neglec

d flat and buried his face in the cool depths. Caldwell followed his example

n but I don't car

rest and drink some more." The suggestion was carried out. Several tim

ter with you?" Lang shook h

answered. "I'm

't knock you out?" La

p beside it, have some more when I w

other to get away, then he, too, closed his eyes. Jim watched him several minutes, the smallest flash light in one hand, a gun in the other. The boy thought that he could ke

ts feeble ray into the darkness, cutting a faint glow which made the rest of the place blacker. The boy tried to brush his face on his shoulder, which ached woefully but as far as he could see or f

ground hoping to discover a sharp stone upon which he might rub the rope until it was cut in two, but he found nothing, then he began to hitch and wriggle his body. It was a mighty painful process for his arms were swollen and he dared not make a sound. At last, after a grim struggle, he had the satisfaction of feeling the lariat shove upward toward his

he weapon in his pocket at last, Jim devoted the next few minutes to rubbing his sore arms, for he knew that in their present condition he could never hold the gun, much less fire it effectively. In due time his arms were relieved, then he wished that he had on soft-soled shoes, but he managed to get to his feet, take possession of the flash-light, and at last, assured t

no new opening had been made into the passage, but the glow was unmistakable and it filled the place. Gently Jim rubbed his step-brother's body, and presently, Bob stood up, but just then Mills stirred une

sy knotting his rope, and looped it on his

d several feet away. "I have an idea. Suppose we lay the ropes so when they sit up we'll have

ing to eat and some sleep, and we didn't.

y container of food pellets they had been given at the

touching the floor of the passage, her body covered with a whole tiger-skin. Behind her walked a woman, then several men came forward single file. Every one of them carried boxes, some opened and others closed,

," Jim w

r left hands, then suddenly an exclamation made them whirl about. Lang was s