The Air Ship Boys : Or, the Quest of the Aztec Treasure

. On the far side of this unpaved roadway was a row of one- and two-story frame buildings. Here and there was a cheaper structure of little else but corrugated iron sheets, while to the l

ddled horses, some of them hitched to posts, and others standing with their bridle reins dropped to the ground. Not many perso

down beyond the water tank with one car, switched it back onto the one siding until it

exican squatted by a hot tamale can. Among others idling near were some high-heeled and sombrero-topped cow-boys, whose easy and loose clothing made Alan envi

r lungs with the tonic air, for, in spite of the heat, a cer

and the distant mountains, "beyond those peaks and somewhere under th

ng air and the new life about the

is arms as if to embrace his friend. "All we need is a

re we start back," remarked Ned. "Anyway, I

en the news spread that a special car was standing behind the freight shed on the far side of the tracks there was an instant rush of

ordered Elmer to put off the noonday meal until they reached Clarkeville. The colored boy, troubled over the notion of a good

Ned's quick eye caught sight of a more important personage. A middle-aged man, not quite so western in appear

red on by the new arrival'

xplained the lad, "and thi

held out

he mayor of this town," he r

ust saved me the trouble of looking you up,

took in the big expensive car and then returned to the

laug

st. Elmer," he said to the waiting cook, waite

oys before what was perhaps the most elaborate meal he had ever eaten. His protest came from the fact that he had

as at his ease and rapidly becoming satisf

my assurance, however, that it can in no way operate against or damage you

swer, "and if your lay is no one's b

ed Ned. "But there may be some

k about like me," interrupted the Clarkeville

e other part of this car we have the

the Mayor, his mou

you can guide

ey dropped

em flyin'

act

we all se

r and to explain just how it is to be operated. But in a few days, when it is ready, we are going to sail away on business that is our own. And when that time comes curiosity mu

oked at them

se ye must be on a mighty

e beginning to ask questions. Since we ca

fair and square and that ye ain't violatin' no laws and I

ns for which we are willing to pay. But we want the confidence of

e Mayor, getting up from the table

surrounded with a high corral or fence. The sign read "Buck's Corral." In the East it would have been called a livery stable. The air navigators engaged the place at five dollars a day for a week or more, and put a half d

shifts, undertook the duty of seeing that nothing in the corral was molested in the absence of Ned and Alan. Th

g the freedom of wide-brimmed hats, stout shirts, thick-soled shoes, and belts. Elmer's duty was the constant care of the Placida, which he only l

an a full freight car. When strangers were on the car the colored boy stood like a sentinel over the black case which was made less conspicuous by b

rshal, were invited. It was extra work for "Smoky," who took his new name with a mild protest; but when he called the crew to the

s work," suddenly exclaimed Buck as he finished a g

laughed i

continued Buck, "and what I said goes.

errupted Jack Jellup, the marshal,

ing. The final tribute of the three guests, however, before they left, was to push the Placida along with crowbars until it was free of the freight house and stood where the evening

in the little town came the sound of low singing and a Spanish air played on the mandolin. It was all so different from the li