“Thanks a lot,” Jim said, then added, “What are you fellows going to do with us? These people have nothing to do with me—”
“Aw, we didn’t ask you no questions, did we?”
“We can’t tell yet, but we’ll know before long,” the General added.
“There it goes now—” They listened, then heard a series of distant shots, evidently from a small gun, spelling out some sort of code. It was none Jim recognized, but the men made notes on pieces of paper, and finally, when there was a pause, the general picked up a rifle which was near at hand, and fired three shots. A moment later the sound of the motor, which had been silenced during the exchange, boomed out again, and Austin knew that the machine gunner was on his way.
“Well now, ain’t that nice.” The men had their heads bowed over what they had written.
“You’re wanting to know what we’re going to do with you.” The General looked at Austin and leered. “Well, Buddy, we’re taking you for a ride.” Jim caught his breath sharply for he had read that among gangsters being taken for “a ride” meant nothing more than being killed.
“Aw, you gotta suspicious nature, Buddy. We’re taking you for a real ride, in an ary-plane.”
“Them’s the boss’ orders. You kin rest yourselves ten minutes, then we’re startin’,” the Admiral volunteered, and the Flying Buddy gave a relieved sigh. They were probably being taken to the “Boss” whoever and whatever he was, and while there was no telling what fate had in store for them later, at least they were in no immediate danger of being bumped off.
“We ain’t tyin’ you up, or nuthin’ like that, but we’re tellin’ you that these here woods is got a lot of Peruvian tigers scattered round in ’em and they ain’t tame cats. That’s only case you get a notion to do any runnin’.”
“Thanks,” Jim grinned. At least the pair did not appear to be so blood-thirsty as other members of the gang he had encountered, and this was something to be mighty grateful for.
The next few minutes were devoted to packing a roll of equipment into a pair of blankets, and with an eye to some possible future need, the General added the four chutes to the rest of the stuff. What food was left from their own meal was pressed on the prisoners, who ate it gratefully, especially Jim who felt as hollow as a gun barrel. At last they were ready to start, the fire was stamped out and the charred coals scattered, but as he stood waiting, the boy noticed a white mark on one of the nearest trees. The Admiral had a small flashlight which he used to see that nothing was left behind, then taking a larger one from his pocket, he started around the rock.