CHAPTER XXVIII
INVADING THE TIGERS' LAIR
Having thus decided to begin work that same night, naturally Jack andhis best pal were more or less concerned as to what the weatherpromised.
As aviators they had become accustomed to securing the very latestGovernment report as to the probabilities ahead, so that by now this hadbecome a habit. The knowledge that there was a strong likelihood of adense fog along their proposed route--perhaps signs of a war of theelements, not only put them doubly on their guard, but often proved ofvalue in meeting and overcoming the threatening danger.
In this instance they had no weather sharp to give them a clue, foundedon late wires from different points, as to the velocity of the wind, itsdirection, the chances of snow or rain, perhaps electrical disturbancesin the bargain--now everything must depend on their own ability tofigure things out through taking note of the heavens, and kindred stormindicators.
Jack was a fair weather prophet himself, though never so bold as toclaim absolute perfection; yes, and Perk too prided himself on knowingconsiderable, also able to tell when any severe upset was in theoffing--though it must be confessed he was rather inclined to depend onan aching corn, or some sort of queer itching in his joints, to be ableto prophesy a sudden change in prevailing conditions.
So they studied the sky, noted the passage of certain types of clouds,as well as several other heralds of the weather in prospect; and finallyagreed that, unless something came along to materially affect matters,they could reasonable expect quite a lengthy spell of seasonableweather.
At any rate the fact that both reached the same conclusion was lookedupon as promising double insurance--several days would surely see themthrough their big job, and that was all they asked.
Accordingly, having settled that part of the arrangement, they startedfor their underground retreat, feeling that thus far everything seemedto be working in their interest.
Perk was looking wonderfully pleased, and Jack could give a good guessjust why this should be so. It had been arranged that on this fatefulevening, when their mission was on the eve of taking a fresh spurt, Perkwas to be permitted to actually _cook a meal_--such as the camp larderallowed.
He had asked his comrade concerning the possibility of the odorsbetraying their hiding place; and Jack told him there was not one chancein a hundred of such a thing coming about.
"Already you've been smoking in our cave, and the odor of your tobaccomust have floated out to the open air; but from what we've learned noone ever comes up this way--those lazy panhandlers down there wouldn'tbother themselves to scout around. So its perfectly safe to fry yourbacon, and even make coffee--if you've got any sort of a vessel tocontain the same."
"Jest leave all that to little Perk, Senor Jack," the other told him, inhalf suppressed excitement; "I'm the lad as kin sling the hash to beatthe band. My innards air yellin' fur a gen-u-ine hot meal, 'cause coldstuff doant seem to touch the spot. Git ready to give yeour tummy atreat fur a change."
They were back in the cavern when this little discussion took place; andno sooner had a decision been reached than Perk commenced hispreparations; Jack meantime busying himself with pencil and paper,figuring out certain little problems connected with their programme forthe night.
Later on Jack began to lift his head, and turn anxious glances towardhis busy comrade, meanwhile sniffing the atmosphere, and faintly_smiling_--when a healthy young man, accustomed to feeding onfirst-class chow, day in and day out, is forced by reason of unusualcircumstances to partaking--in limited quantities at that--of coldmeals, with an extremely minute bill of fare in the bargain, naturallywhen once again catching the appetizing whiff of frying rashers of primebacon, also sliced potatoes; and above all the thrilling odor of boilingJava coffee, how could he help displaying his joy at the prospect ofsuch a coming treat?
The realization was quite as good as the anticipation, only it must beconfessed that when they had dutifully scraped the pan absolutely clean,and squeezed out the last drop of the ambrosia Perk had brewed in somesort of a hobo empty quart fruit-can, that chanced to be aboard theirship, neither of them felt filled to capacity.
"Never mind," Jack remarked, observing the rueful expression on hischum's face, and watching him rubbing his stomach, as if to show how farfrom being distended it was; "the _sample_ was extra fine. Just holdyour horses until we get back to town, and then the sky is the limit.Get that, pard?"
"Thanks, awfully, Jack, ole hoss; I'm agoin' to live on promises fur ashort spell; but oh! baby, aint the fur bound to fly when I get workin'my jaws reg'lar onct again?"
After that they lay around and waited, for a certain length of time mustelapse before it would be safe to start operations.
Perk asked numerous questions, since as usual certain matters seemed abit hazy in his mind, never as speedy as that of Jack to grasp things.Despite these breaks the time hung heavily on their hands, for carefulJack refused to pay any heed to all the long sighs that welled up fromPerk's heart, with the object of hastening the decision.
Finally, when the impatient one was writhing as if actually in pain,Jack took compassion on him.
"I reckon we might just as well make a break, buddy; once down at theoutlet we can do the balance of our loafing, until it looks safe for usto start. That ought to be well along toward midnight, all depending howsoon those noisy card players break up, and hit the hay."
Earlier in the evening there had been considerable loud talking,calling, and singing among the confederated fugitives; but already muchof this was stilled. A number of them, however, seemed to be gathered inthe dining hall, gambling--these evidently were the lucky players; thosewho had already turned in the ones who had in previous bouts beencleaned out, and must hold themselves in check until another foray hadbeen carried out, with fresh plunder divided up among the members of thelawless community.
Lying there at the crevice that formed a back door to their wonderfulcave, the two sky detectives listened, and whispered to each other;meanwhile keeping a close watch on the big log-cabin, where lights couldbe seen through an opening serving as one of the rude windows, destituteof glass, and closed in cold weather with wooden shutters.
"When the last game is played out," Jack was saying under his breath,for they were not so far removed from the rough shack in question thattalking in ordinary tones would be exceedingly risky; "it's the habit ofSimeon as sexton and cook of the central ranch, to shut up shop, turnout the lamp and then limp around to the tent where he sleeps, a prettytired man I'd say. We want to be on hand to give him the tip thatstrangers are inside the barricades of the valley. Then, when he knowswho's come to his assistance we can start to make up our plans for thebig break."
"Yeou doant kinder guess Simeon he might give us away in his excitement,eh, partner?" Perk asked, anxiously, always scenting trouble, it seemed.
"Not on your life, partner," Jack assured him. "Simeon has been in theservice for a good many years, and learned to control his emotions, nomatter what happens. You'll not hear a whisper from his lips when wespeak his name--I'd stake anything on that."
Presently, from indications they believed the last three men had emergedfrom the dining hall; some one was moving about within, which Jack feltcertain must be the prisoner who had been forced to play the part ofgeneral servant, possibly to humiliate him for his attempt to break upthe gang.
"It's time we moved along," whispered Jack, with which remark he crawledout upon the little ledge, and commenced the rather hazardous task ofbacking down the incline, each movement being executed with extremecare.
It turned out just as they had anticipated, for the sloping ledge kepton to the level of the valley bed, although it must have been next toimpossible for any one to distinguish its presence from the levelground.
Jack led the way, and they were close to the tent, when the last lightvanished in the big cabin near by. Presently, just as Jack had figuredwith such exactness, a dim figure came
slowly around the corner, almostcolliding with the crouching pair.