"I’ve lived too long and seen too much to be an optimist," was the little man’s response. "Now, who wants to bet we won’t have to hoof it back to the American lines?"
"I’ll take that bet, Mr. Stubbs," said Chester, "just to show you that it pays to be an optimist. What’ll it be?"
"Anything you say," replied Stubbs. "Make it a new pipe for me and a hat for you—when the war’s over."
The three walked along the dark road in silence for some moments.
"By George! it can’t be much farther," declared Stubbs at last. "We’ve covered a mile now. Must have lost your bearings, Hal."
"Just hold your horses, Mr. Stubbs," said Hal. "I’m not in the habit of making such mistakes. We’ll be there presently."
Stubbs grumbled to himself but made no reply.
Five minutes later Hal slackened his pace and took Stubbs by the arm.
"There," he said, pointing to a clump of trees a short distance ahead, "there is the spot we hid the plane, unless I am greatly mistaken. It may be there yet."
"And it may not," growled Stubbs, although his voice indicated that he was pleased that the long walk was about over.
At the edge of the miniature forest, Hal paused and glanced up and down the road. So did Chester and Stubbs. There was no one in sight.
He stepped in among the trees. Then he gave an exclamation of relief.
It was true. There was the plane right where the lads had left it in the early morning of the day before. Apparently there had been no one near it, for its position was the same as that in which the lads had left it.
"Well, don’t let’s fool around here," said Stubbs. "Let’s be moving."
"Since when did you become so anxious to fly, Mr. Stubbs?" asked Chester.
"I’m not anxious to fly," retorted Stubbs. "I never did like to ride in one of these things and I never will; but I want to get out of this place, and I’m in favor of moving right away."
"We’ll move then," said Hal briefly. "Chester, do you suppose you can make room back there?"
"By George!" said Stubbs. "He’ll have to make room for me or there’ll be a fight right here."
"I guess we can squeeze him in some way, Hal," replied Chester.
Hal and Chester turned the craft so that its nose pointed toward the open, then wheeled it from the woods.
The little war correspondent needed no further urging. Chester took his place beside him. It was a tight squeeze, for the machine had not been constructed to carry two in the rear seat, but Chester and Stubbs managed it. Hal climbed in the pilot’s seat and adjusted the spark.