The Boy Aviators in Africa; Or, an Aerial Ivory Trail
arry, ca
hat cartridge box
going to Africa or are we
right as a reporter, but as a shipping clerk
10- One waterproof tent, one rubber-blanket, tent-pegs, ropes, more ropes.-Say, Frank, wh
named William Barnes when he gets
nd a notebook from which he called out the inventory of the articles piled about him as his brother, a youth of fourteen, sorted them out. The third member of the trio was a short, stocky chap of possibly seventeen, with sharp, blue eyes
well set-up lad who was so industriously calling off the equipment that lay scattered about was Frank Chester, and the ready classifier of the mixed-up outfit was Harry, his younger brother. The third member of the group was Billy Barnes, the young reporter, already down to us as the chronicler of
plied them with ample funds for their trip. As for Billy Barnes (or "Our Special Staff Correspondent, William Barnes," as he was now known), besides the sum realized from the sale of
together as good an outfit as was procurable-they were putting what Billy called "the finishing touches" on their accoutrements. Stacked in corners of the room were big chests painted blue and marked with
e smaller boxes also were packed yards and yards of bright-colored cloth and calico, spangles, cheap jewelry and brass ornaments for use among the natives. In making up their outfit the boys had taken the advice of a well-known African traveler who
u pick a quarrel with a native," had been his simply laid-down rules for getting
quizzically as Harry sorted out and Frank read off ceaselessly the apparently interm
hat hunters who go into the bush depending on their rifles
xty-mile aeroplane like the Golden Eagle II we can
e," assented Harry, "but how mu
will help out our supply materially. A few of these tablets dissolved in gasoline render the efficiency of one ordinary gal
gallon we carry being of tri
e boys worked on and the equipment, as it was classified, was packed away in the cases assigned to each class of articles, there came a sharp knock at the door
handing the missive to his br
it and read
ANK AND
ll details when you see us. Will you call at the Waldorf at ten-thirty and have breakfast? We can discuss the matter over the meal. All I can say now is that if the Golden Eagle is still in shape for her old-time
hen, till
ROP E
ing up for a nice little holiday trip to rest our shattered nerves, and he
curious," repli
Luther Barr? I have heard the
s an ivory importe
the resourceful Billy.
e to him from its hook
phantly down the "B" list. "Barr, Luther-that's our man, eh?
live," exclaimed Harry. "That's where he fir
o be a good partn
ose for news and if there isn't some sort of a story back of Mr.
generous offer was interrupted by a s
dollar!" the boys heard
s all I'll pay. I'll be horn-swoggled if you get a cent mo
strangely familiar but the
oys simultaneously and rushed
," arguing loudly with a taxicab chauffeur. The man was obdurate over his fare and just at, the boys came on the s
settle our disput
d Frank, giving the angry man on th
ng when suddenly he dropped the battered bag he carried
till the boy's arms were almost dislocated. "And you too, Harry, and keel haul m
e Boy Aviators?" suddenly cut in
replied Fr
n I'll let your friend off with fift
ich registered $1.00 back to the fifty cent mark an
azed old adventurer, as the taxi whizzed off befo
ap reads the papers and thought it wouldn't do him any go
roduced to Mrs. Chester, a sweet-faced old lady, and Mr. Chester, a fine-looking, gray-h
and then in a few words he describe
der had finished. "Down in Florida when he wasn't tumbling into alligators' mouths or getting bit
vory importer, could have to discuss that would be of interest to them, but they were able to a
become quite familiar. Ever since they had rescued the rugged old adventurer from a marooned treasure-mine in Nicaragua and he had shared their strange adventures in Florida on the Chapin Rescue Expedition, the old man had become as much a part of their necessary
e as a boy and almost as impatient for the start for the Dark Continent. Ben slept at the Chester's home that night and if his dreams were not as populated with v