Flying the Coast Skyways; Or, Jack Ralston's Swift Patrol

to S

nature of the dangers and difficulties lying in ambush to trip them up. For aught they knew long weeks, crowded with perils an

r to Perk, whose restless soul seemed never to be content to loll in idleness and safety; but yearned to meet

en again it might be Perk got it from his contact with the front line trenches in the Great War, where he may have been gassed, wounded, and lived the horrible existence that so many of our gallant boys did in the fierc

one of his disposition; since it would be difficult indeed to mention any other

another spectacle, and many times glancing impatiently at his wrist-watch, as though he co

ilot, was running over in his active mind the various duties t

ers that might have been sent on-under his assumed name, of course; after which it would be his business to drop in upon the Government agent, from whom he would rec

fice of the revenue official, since spies might have it under surveillance, and hold such a swell caller under suspicion-on the contrary the gentleman's private re

e Atlantic seaboard, especially in the way of shooting grounds; he being a famous sportsman-Perk was not only his dependable pilot, but a sk

tion, and even shooting clothes and tempting high leather boots, all costing rafts of money, it might be possible for them to better carry out their assumed characters by indulging in a litt

w notebook-in the secret code of course-and he expected to add copiously to this record aft

nnumerable indentations covering the shores of the great Sounds, Albemarle, Pamlico and others-also that section of

had proven their worth on a number of previous occasions; but as he could not hope to always have these at hand for reference, Jack meant to carry along a mental p

onspiracy, backed by a number of wealthy but unscrupulous citizens; who probably depended upon some real or fancied

ious dutiable foreign goods-diamonds, other precious stones on which the Treasury Department levied high sums when imported openly; rich laces; high priced Cuban cigars, and a multitude

nding places had been transferred from the vicinity of Tampa and Miami, when those ports were too heavily policed to admit of taking the desperate chances involved; an

being flown across the stretch of salt water-these were not only Chinamen, but Italians as well, criminals who had been chased from their own country by the alert Fascist authorities as enemies of the realm, and saw in rich

ing in a long breath at the same time; and then following it all up wi

et bank o' smoke lying on ahead. I been keepin' tabs o' the miles we left

ck assured the other; which commendatory remark caused Perk to loo

buddy-to jump into action, and then more action. Me, I'm some hungry, partner; but mebbe it aint wise to take a snack wh

it, regardless of expense. And now begin to live, breathe, and act as a Dixie bred man would do, rea

e, suh; and don't yeou forgit it; but I kin see th