Airplane Boys in the Black Woods

  CHAPTER VIII.

  WHEN THE BUTTERFLIES DIE

  After a good warm bath and a shower which helped the Buddies no end,they donned robes and admitted "Sawbones," a kindly old soldier whosereal name was Manwell. He lost no time in preliminaries but in oneswift, all-including glance, noted the ridges and welts left by theropes that had bound the upper part of the strong young bodies forhours, the feet swollen from the long tramp, and the unmistakable darkrings under their eyes which evidenced lack of sleep.

  "For a pair who are reported 'all right' you look a bit the worse forwear," he remarked gravely. "Stretch out on this cot and rest while Itake your brother," he added to Jim.

  "All right," Austin answered.

  "We're not really brothers," Bob added. "Each of us started out with awhole pair of parents, but after Jim lost his mother and my fatherpassed on, we looked each other over, decided that in union there isstrength, so we got the two grown-ups married. Jim was his father's bestman and I gave my mother away; that is I agreed to the arrangement aslong as Jim's dad treated Mom all right, but it's understood I fill himfull of lead if he falls down on the job." The doctor laughed heartilyat this bit of family history.

  "From all I have been able to gather Mr. Austin is still going aroundwithout any punctures," he chuckled.

  "Yep, haven't even taken down a shot gun," answered Bob.

  "Then you feel that you made no mistake," the doctor remarked.

  "Sure," Jim put in. "I'd known Dad all my life; Bob knew his mother allhis life, so we sort of guaranteed them to each other. Sometimes itdoesn't work so good because my Dad's got the habit of acting perkybecause he's got two sons--"

  "And Mom saves the gizzards for Jim and when there is only one piece ofchocolate cake left, she cuts it three ways; I used to get it all." Bobscowled darkly.

  "Looks as if trouble might be brewing," said Manwell.

  "You still get the livers," Jim reminded his buddy.

  "I like 'em better than the gizzards," said Bob calmly. He set his lipsin a tight line when the doctor's fingers explored sore spots on hisbody, but although Manwell was highly efficient he was gentle and thelad realized it was better to submit to this thorough examination.

  "Your disappearance yesterday caused a great deal of excitement," heremarked. "I understand that you were sighted above the Black Range.That's a pretty wild section, almost entirely unexplored; consideredinaccessible. These marks were made by ropes, or some kind of thongswound pretty tightly, but as far as I can see you have not suffered anyserious injury; by that I mean you do not seem to have been hurt, struckor wounded. It will help me considerably if you will tell me somethingof your experience. There are uncivilized tribes far back among thosehills. You must have been walked for hours--"

  "We did walk for hours," Jim answered, "and we fell in with anuncivilized tribe of white men, not natives--"

  "White men?"

  "Yes. We were captured by a gang and made to do a Marathon; no Indiancame near us, but we did see a few."

  "Then I do not need to worry about the sort of treatment you might getfrom natives. I should have known it, for as long as the whites mindtheir own business, the natives attend very strictly to theirs." Thedoctor finished his examination of the younger boy, then turned hisattention to Austin.

  "We both got the same sort of deal," Jim explained.

  "You'll be all right shortly, I'm sure, but I should like to keep an eyeon you both for a few days," he told them, then went on chatting as heworked. "Did you happen to see the butterfly flight? I was up with afriend in the morning and saw a little of it."

  "Reckon we saw it all--or a lot of it, anyway," said Jim.

  "Pilots avoid them usually for they are apt to gum the works of theplane--"

  "We were on the ground when it flew over so they did not force us down.It was a great sight, but sort of sad. I didn't know what it was atfirst, then I remembered reading that they do that every year;--it wasthick as a cloud and when they got above us we couldn't see the sky."

  "Marvelous sight, marvelous. Now you can slip into pajamas and softslippers. Expect you'd like something to eat," the doctor smiled atthem. "Naturally I'm keen to know what happened to you, but--"

  "I say Doc, if we tell what happened to us no one will believe half ofit, but I reckon I'd like to tell it to our friends from Canada andCaptain Seaman, even if it does sound like--"

  "Like a pack of fairy tales," added Bob.

  "I say," there was a knock at the door and the voice was Ruhel's.

  "Come on in, we were talking about you," Jim called, and the CanadianMounty entered without further ceremony. "You're looking fit. If I had ahorseshoe I'd pin it on you."

  "Don't those boys want something to eat?" That was the Captain's wife,who was positive that her guests were famished.

  "Expect they do," the doctor laughed, "although I cannot see that theyhave suffered especially from hunger."

  "We didn't," Bob answered, but he did not say anything about the pelletsthey had eaten. Presently the Flying Buddies were seated in comfortablechairs before a dainty, but bountiful repast to which they did fulljustice. Captain Seaman, Ruhel, Bradshaw and the doctor were in the hugecool living room where the table was set, and although they were allagog to get the story of what had happened to the boys, they kept adiscreet silence while the meal was in progress.

  "Professor Martin to see you, Sir--" Before the servant could sayanything more, a tall, thin, bespectacled man entered the roomimpatiently, and the British officer rose, and stared at him coldly.

  "It is very important that I get in touch with you," the professordeclared aggressively.

  "Does it occur to you, Sir, that it might be equally important, possiblymore so, that you remember your manners, if you have any, and that Ishould not be disturbed at this moment." His tones were cold as ice andthe professor scowled.

  "I am not usually considered lacking in manners, Captain," he retortedsharply.

  "No?"

  "No. It is important that I bring this matter to the authorities."

  "The officer of the day will attend to whatever it is, Sir." The Captainbowed stiffly, an orderly literally backed the professor out of the roomand the boys stared after him in astonishment.

  "Does he own the earth?" Jim inquired.

  "Or only an extra pair of socks?" added Bob.

  "He's got a sore head," Seaman told them. "Came down among the islandswith an important expedition as one of several scientists. They aredoing a fine piece of work studying insect and vegetable life in thewild sections under a very capable man, chap named Morley, but he had togo home a few weeks ago because of illness and this lad Martin plantedhis feet in his chief's shoes, or has tried to. He's succeeded in makinghimself unpopular with the natives, not only those working for him butthe villagers generally. A short time ago they did what you U. S.-er'scall, 'walked out on him,' although they had been very satisfactory toMorley since he came nearly two years ago. Then Goodman tried to engageothers, but didn't succeed. He is determined to carry the work in asection of the forests which they refuse to enter. He did manage ingetting a few half-breeds and full bloods to go on the job, but theyquit when the butterflies began to fly to the sea to die. It seems theinsects, some of them, set their course above the workers, who are asuperstitious lot. To them it is a sign of something, it is not clear tome just what it is."

  "Does he have to conduct the investigation in that particular spot?" Jiminquired with interest.

  "They say he does not. My own men, who know anything of the subjectassure me that what they want to study and observe can be found inhundreds of localities. Morley and other men of the expedition were ofthe same opinion, they got along well with the native workers by keepingoff their toes and being careful not to infringe with hobbies or ideas.Martin has been bull-headed in the matter and wants us to order theIndians to go out with him and do what he says. There is something aboutthis Butterfly Flight; what is it D
oc?"

  "I don't know much more than you do except even if there isn't abutterfly in sight for miles, the natives seem to know when they arecoming. They just knock off what they are doing and wait until it isover. Whatever signs they read from the flight governs their actions butas a rule the majority of them resume their jobs," he explained.

  "We saw the flight," Bob remarked.

  "Yes, one day of it. It takes several days. If Martin is sensible he'lltake a week's vacation, for not even the negroes will help him now. Hemay as well turn his attention to something else for the present. How doyou feel since you had something to eat?" The doctor asked.

  "Top hole," declared Bob.

  "Hadn't you both better have a good sleep now," Ruhel suggested.

  "I'd like to tell you what we were doing before we go to bed. It may behours before we wake up and in the meantime there's a white man backthere--"

  "A white man?" Seaman started to his feet.

  "Yes, his name is Mills and he's gone crazy--"

  "Crazy?" This exclamation came from the old doctor, then he turnedgravely to the captain. "I do not want to be a butt-in, Seaman, but Ishould like to listen to this story, also, if the boys do not mind, Iwish you would permit Donald to be present." He turned to Jim. "Donaldis a full blooded native who has spent the greater part of his life withme and my wife. His mother died when he was an infant, she worked for usand we have brought the boy up. In deciding about his life we thought itbest to keep him in touch with his own race so he spends a good part ofhis time with his native relatives. We have given him a Christianeducation, he is interested in things medical; and I do not mind tellingyou that he has given us a valuable education in many ways."

  "I am sure Don will be interested in what you have to say, boys, and youcan depend upon him to the last breath. He's a splendid fellow even ifthe doc did bring him up," the captain replied promptly.

  "Surely, fetch him along," Jim agreed, then added, "But can we make theparty sort of private! You are going to hear some whoppers and you'llknow whether to send someone in after Mills. We didn't dare riskbringing him out."

  "Very good." An orderly went in search of the doctor's adopted son andpresently a tall young chap about seventeen years old, with fine manlybearing and a neat white suit but no hat, was ushered in. He waspresented to the Flying Buddies, upon whom he smiled broadly, and thenMorley explained why he had been sent for.

  "I am honored," the young fellow nodded.

  "Come along in my office," the captain invited, and soon the party wereassembled about a huge table in an upper room. Orders were given thatthey were not to be disturbed on any account.

  "Let's have a look at you," said the doctor. "Want to be sure yourhearts and things are not going to be strained by lack of rest." Heexamined them quickly.

  "All set?" Ruhel asked.

  "You lead off, Jim," Bob said, so Jim started the story of their arrivalon the clearing in the forest. He gave the exact location exactly as itshowed on the plane's charts and indicators, and when the place wasmentioned, Donald glanced at the doctor, then leaned forward lest hemiss a word of the recital.

  Austin told of the landing, seeing the ancient Indian who disappeared somysteriously, their decision that one of them remain on guard and theboy drew a rough sketch of their location and position. Then Bob toldthem of his investigations, how much time he had spent, the suddenappearance of the javarel which split the sapling in front of him, thenthe three Indians, the coming of the butterflies, Jim's attempt to reachhim and the arrival of the plane which had been forced down by the cloudof insects.

  "Those white butterflies flew over your head?" Donald interrupted.

  "Not while I stood there, but when I stepped out of course I got intothem," Bob replied.

  "May I ask another question. Where did you get those rings you arewearing?" the Indian boy wanted to know. Jim eyed him narrowly for amoment.

  "They were given to us by a boy in Vermont some time ago. It was duringthe floods and we carried him and his uncle across Lake Champlain sothey could take the train in New York," he replied carefully. He had ahunch that Donald knew something about the rings.

  "We didn't do much, but everyone was having a bad time, so they gave usthe rings because they appreciated getting away," Bob added.

  "Thank you," Donald smiled. "Pardon the interruption," he turned to thecaptain. "I've seen similar rings and could not resist inquiring."

  "That's all right, old man," Seaman replied.

  "The second plane landed near us," Jim went on with the story, but heomitted the argument over the green emeralds because he did not wish tobring in Don Haurea if he could help it, although both Ruhel andBradshaw had met the scientist when they were in Texas looking for youngGordon.

  "If I may interrupt, I should like to ask Donald what difference it madewhether the butterflies went over the boys' heads," Ruhel said. "Thedoctor spoke of superstitions regarding the annual flight." The dark boysmiled.

  "It is said that one who deliberately runs into or under them in theirflight will meet disaster in a short time, and all with him," hereplied.

  "I see, thank you."

  "Our Flying Buddies did not deliberately run into them," Bradshaw saidgravely.

  "They did not, Sir."

  "Great guns, Goodman, the professor I mean, did run into themdeliberately--" Seaman put in soberly.

  "He did and he endeavored to take workers with him. That is why theydeserted him," Donald explained.

  "I see. Manwell would have investigated and avoided such an act," theCaptain remarked, then went on, "Excuse me, boys. Please proceed withyour story."

  "Yes sir." Jim took it up, told of entering the forest with their armsbound, the long wearisome tramp, the destruction of Red, the loss of thebatteries and food. The boy told the tale as simply as possible, andalthough none of the audience asked another question, there werenumerous exclamations of astonishment, and several times one of the menpaced up and down the floor as the facts were revealed. At last theycame to the brightening of the tunnel, the change of air and finally theappearance of the Indian band with their treasures. "When the last ofthem passed he stopped and looked at Mills for a moment, then went on."

  "Stopped and looked at Mills?" said the doctor.

  "Yes sir." The old man looked at his young adopted son, who nodded hishead gravely.

  "The man you said that you left back there?"

  "Yes. He's crazy as a bed-bug--"

  "Please proceed," Donald urged.

  "Well," Jim glanced around. "I don't begin to understand this part atall and I shall not blame you if you set it down as a pipe dream." Heturned to Bob. "We haven't discussed it between ourselves, Buddy, so youlisten carefully and check up on what I tell them. Chip in if I'm wronganywhere."

  "Shoot," Bob replied, so Austin proceeded with the tale of theappearance of the band, through the final destruction of both white menand dark, by the released waters.

  "I say, Don," the doctor's voice was low and not very steady, "is thatBloody Dam--the place where--"

  "I believe so, Sir." He turned to Bob. "You were beside yourstep-brother, would you please tell us this part of the story as you sawit?"

  "It's about the same as Jim. I had a feeling that it was a dream, butthe whole thing seemed sort of unreal and I didn't think of the Indianband as different from everything else, not until I came out and waswhere I could pay any attention to the things separately," Bob replied,then he went on telling how he had crouched by the tree, cautiouslywriggling until he got his teeth in the rope to chew it apart. Jim'sappearance just before the task was finished and cutting the lariat withhis knife. He proceeded with the account of the Indians, the finalswirling of the water almost to their feet and its receding as it foundthe lower outlet. When the boy paused, his face was white and drawn.

  "Suppose you have a drink of this," the doctor urged. He stirredsomething, in a glass of water, gave some to each of the lads, and in amoment their tenseness relaxed somewhat and the col
or came back to theirfaces.

  "Thank you," said Jim, then started with the rest of the narrative.