“I doubt very much if the fellow is alive but some people are born lucky; you never can tell what they will come through. A decent man hitting the water from that distance would have the life knocked right out of him and sink like lead to the bottom. We have your description of the pair, so I’ll send out some quiet inquiries4. I’d like to pick up that man who hauled your gas for you at Montego.”
“Hope you do,” Jim said earnestly.
“We may. It’s amazing how that sort of riffraff drifts about. Well, now, you fellows turn in. The guard will call you in time to206 start, and if you are ever in the neighborhood again, pay us another call.”
“Sure, we will. Perhaps when we’re coming back we’ll have time to spend a day and see this part of the world. It sure looks interesting; something like the level parts of Texas,” said Bob.
“You are a confirmed Texan,” Seaman smiled as he withdrew, and presently the weary travelers had drifted off into the land of dreams, and not even the heat disturbed them. When the guard finally knocked softly at the door to let them know it was time to get up, the air was chilly6, and they yawned vigorously.
“Captain Seaman said to tell you that our chemist couldn’t find out what was in that broken tube. He applied7 all the tests we have, but it’s something he doesn’t know anything about,” the man explained.
“Thank you very much.”
“He sealed the rest in a container because he thought you might like to keep it, or send it to another analyst8.” The soldier produced a tube and Jim took it thoughtfully.
“Could you send it by air mail for us from here?”
207 “Yes sir, certainly.”
“I’m going to send it to the Don, Dad. Perhaps he can have it analyzed9 by some one.”
“That’s a good plan. Anyway, it will be well to preserve it.”
Jim took a few minutes to get the tube ready to mail, then dressed quickly, and joined his father and buddy10, who were already being served a good breakfast in the great empty mess-hall. Before they had finished, Captain Seaman appeared in his pajamas11 and bathrobe.
“Rest well?” he asked.
“Never better. Sorry to get you out at such an ungodly hour.”
“That’s all right. I thought I’d like to see you off safely so I told the guard to call me.” He sat down and chatted with them until they had finished, then went to the “Lark” about which a sentry12 marched in perfect military fashion and very businesslike. He saluted13 the captain, seemed relieved at the sight of the travelers, and stood respectfully while the party prepared to leave.
“We owe you a great deal, Captain Seaman,”208 Mr. Austin declared holding out his hand.
“Glad we could do anything for you.”
The three climbed into their places, Jim at the controls, and in a moment the engine was roaring. Except for the camp lights, the night was pitch black but they all knew that the dawn would be breaking before very long. The travelers and the soldiers waved farewells, then the “Lark” gave a gay little hop5, and raced into the air. She seemed to realize that she had a great deal to do before she came down again, so she set to work with a good will. Jim climbed her thirty thousand feet before he leveled out, set his course, and shot forward like a star through the blackness. Twice Bob called through the speaking tube to the passenger in the rear, and Mr. Austin assured them he was quite safe and comfortable.
“I find that by sitting low my hands come close to the bulb, my boy, so that I can signal you the instant I scent14 danger, and as long as I can catch an occasional glimpse of your heads I am assured that all is well up front,” he told them.
209 “Corking idea. Do you see that morning star? Isn’t she a beauty?”
“She certainly is magnificent, but she will not shine very much longer for I believe that I see a sign of light in the distance.” After that chat they flew in silence, then Bob set himself to studying, while Jim continued to keep to his task of piloting. It seemed to him that Captain Seaman’s suggestion to continue the trip without a break was a very sensible one, and as he considered the matter he thought that Panama, where they had intended to make a stop might have proved another unlucky spot for them. There was no doubt now that someone was making a strenuous15 effort to prevent them from reaching Cuzco, and whoever was organizing the movement against them would have given Belize small consideration.
An hour later daylight was well on its way and the morning was glorious. The sun rose like a brilliant ball of color which reflected in numberless dancing shades on the vast expanse of water that was so much greater in proportion than the bits of land it surrounded. The “Lark” was going at top speed and never did the boys see the world210 roll under them so swiftly. It hardly seemed possible that an airplane could fly so fast, but the miles were clicking off on the indicator16 and the wind screamed sharply as they cut through it. Austin wondered if anything would happen that would necessitate17 carrying them along by the force of the central power and then he recalled that Don Haurea had said that one of the stations was in South America. The “Lark” must even now be in touch with it and the boy wished he had remembered to ask exactly where it was located. Staring ahead toward the distant land to which he was going he thought again of those ancient Spaniards and he tried to visualize18 the years that had passed, if the intellect of those adventurers would have been as highly developed as their brute19 courage. Into his mind came the recollection of the bitterness in the voice of the dignified20 Don when he spoke21 of the Pizarros, then through it flashed a vague idea. He wondered if the Haureas were descendants of those Yncas. It made him gasp22.
Almost immediately came the recollection of that day in Vermont when he and Bob had gone to the little island in Lake Champlain211 to find Corso and his young nephew. How they had found the boy garbed24 in the exquisite25 robes of royalty26, and how they had listened as Yncicea had told them of the ancient race which had preserved itself through the centuries. The youngster looked every inch a prince as he made his explanation simply, the chest of precious jewels at his feet. As a token of appreciation27 the Flying Buddies28 had each received two very valuable emeralds beside the rings they wore on their fingers.
“What a blue-ribbon turnip29 I’ve been. Yncicea is Don Haurea’s son. Ynca—that’s part of the title of the children of The Sun. Great Scott, of course—they are descendants of the Yncas—the real ones. Well, gosh, I’m glad of it. It’ll take more than a bunch of ignoramuses to ride rough shod over them again. Gee30, I wonder how many there are now; some tribe, I’ll bet—”
“Talking in your sleep?” Bob demanded. He had happened to look up and saw Jim’s lips moving.
“I just had a great idea.”
“Cherish it, Old Timer, you may never get another,” Bob taunted31.
212 “I shall,” Jim chuckled32. Caldwell returned to his notes while Jim’s mind was filled with the wildest fancies. He was mighty33 glad that Her Highness had come down on the Box-Z that day when they were out of gas. It seemed as if it must have occurred years instead of months ago. So much had happened; so much that was thrilling; and so much that was perfectly34 fascinating. The possibilities for the future had opened out swiftly, there seemed to be no limit to what could be accomplished35. Toward the middle of the morning Bob looked up again.
“Remember when we ate?”
“Haven’t the faintest recollection,” Jim admitted. The younger boy put away his work and attacked the hamper36. He called to Mr. Austin, who declared that all was well with him.
“I have a book, a sandwich, a piece of cake and a bottle of coffee right this minute,” he announced.
“You’re getting ahead of us,” Bob laughed. Presently he had eaten all he wanted, then he turned to Jim. “Now, bring that idea of yours over here and don’t eat so much, you’ll crowd it out.”
213 “Don’t you worry, I hog-tied it,” Jim retorted. They changed seats and Austin looked into the basket. “You ate it all,” he bellowed37.
“Did not, there’s half a chicken and all the trimmings,” Bob grinned. “Maybe so much brain work has affected38 your eyesight.” Austin produced the chicken and trimmings and set to work on them, then, after a chat with his father, he got at his books. The “Lark” soared along steadily39, smooth as silk. They were over the Andes now and as Caldwell glanced at them his mouth opened in awe40 and wonder. He hoped hard that the business which was bringing them would not be concluded too quickly for he longed to fly over those long jagged ridges41, to explore their dark forests and follow some of those rushing streams that glistened42 in the valleys. Far away the boy could see the edge of the Pacific Ocean. Occasionally he caught a glimpse of a great ship, then he saw numberless small boats bobbing on the waves. Although he scanned the air for a plane no one seemed to be flying, and he wondered at that, for he was sure that pilots would be crazy about the214 land. Along the coast were numerous towns, inland they were more scattered43, and they seemed to be perched on the mountain sides. Further south began the deserts, arid44 and barren, their hot shifting sands looking exactly like set waves.
“We ought to be almost there, Buddy,” Jim remarked as he looked up from his work and glanced at the chart. “That must be Lima beyond us. Suppose you shoot over east a bit.”
“All right.” Bob changed the course and turned the plane’s nose in toward the mountains.
“Want to change?”
“Don’t care if I do. The sun has been kind of glaring.” They shifted places again and Caldwell heaved a sigh of relief.
“Why didn’t you tell me that you were getting fagged?”
“Didn’t think of it. This surely is some country.” They drove on swiftly, and finally Mr. Austin flashed the signal.
“My friend’s home is east of the city. He wrote me that one of his neighbors has a plane, so there must be a landing space near by.”
215 “We’ll look for it, Dad.” By that time the mountain city and the great lake Titicaca came into view. Bob pulled down his cap glasses and did some close observing, and finally he pointed45 out a place which should be convenient for landing. It was after two o’clock when they brought the “Lark” down on a broad field which looked as if it were a part of a plantation46. They waited a few minutes to glance around, and presently a young man came striding toward them.
“May I serve you gentlemen?” he asked politely.
“Are we near the Pedro De Castro place?” Mr. Austin inquired.
“You are on it, sir. The house is on the terrace. You can taxi your plane quite close. The avenues are wide enough so that you can drive over them easily.”
“Thank you very much.” Jim started the last lap of the trip, and he wondered if anything could possibly happen now to prevent the proper promotion47 of the business to be settled. They had barely swung around toward the house, when he saw a tall man come quickly from the veranda48 and hurry to meet them.
216 “Gentlemen, gentlemen, this is a pleasure. I received word that you were on your way but I calculated that you could not possibly reach here before evening. You must have a very good plane and pilot.” He was a dark-eyed and pleasant faced chap and he went at once to the rear cock-pit where he and Mr. Austin shook hands cordially. “Alight at once. It is an inactive time of day. Do come and make yourselves comfortable.”
“You must meet the boys. My son Jim and Bob Caldwell.”
“Did I not meet this one years ago, and do I not remember his tow-head, but he has forgotten me I am sure. Run your bus in the shade, boys, and come into the house. You can care for it later.” He shook hands all round, and the boys grinned uneasily, but soon they were inside, where they were introduced to Carlos, dark-eyed like his father, but his hair was brown and he was nearly sixteen years old.
“I wish you would tell me at once about this business, Peter. I am anxious to know what has been happening,” Mr. Austin urged.
“Come into the gardens. May I bring my217 son? He is getting to be a man and he must begin to learn things.”
“By all means. I’ve been shifting responsibilities on the shoulders of my boys and while they do not know much about this project, I should be glad to have them sit in. We old fellows never know when we may have to leave the reins49 in younger hands and I think it wrong not to let them have as much experience as possible.” They made their way to a beautiful portico50 which reminded the Sky Buddies of Don Haurea’s home, only this was much more pretentious51. Comfortable seats were placed, and when they were settled a servant came with cool drinks in iced glasses.
“You were wise to come, Austin. I felt sure that I could depend upon your co-operation, and now that you are here we can conclude the matter without delay,” De Castro told them.
“That is good. What has been going wrong?”
“More than we thought. You know that much of the management has been left in the hands of Vaca Alonzo and his brother, Silvester. While the work was being developed218 they both devoted52 themselves to it tirelessly, then I noticed a change in Silvester, he seemed less open and responsive. He is the older man. One or two others in the company mentioned several slight discrepancies53, so we started a quiet investigation54. We found that they are maneuvering55 to gain control of the business. Several outsiders have been admitted, one at a time, unobtrusively, and these men have been making an effort to increase their stock. You understand the sort of thing that can be—as you say in the United States—put over, when the heads of an organization are not alert?”
“Yes, indeed,” Mr. Austin answered.
“Well, you are here, two other men will arrive later, one is already on his way from Lima. At the regular meeting tonight we will out-vote them, and under the circumstances I am in favor of changing officers, giving the Alonzos less influence. It is good that you arrived so promptly56 for we had planned to seek an adjournment57 tonight, but that will not be necessary. We can conclude the matter immediately, and it is possible that we can rid ourselves of the undesirable58 element.”
219 “I am certainly in favor of that,” Mr. Austin declared. “Now, I should like to ask you something. Are the Alonzos very widely connected?”
“Why yes, they are, I should say. They have interests in several enterprises. That is one reason why we wanted them to join with us. While they were not what you would call enormously wealthy, they have been very successful in the past two years. May I ask why you inquire?”
“Your letter by air mail reached me in good time and we started within the week, as you know. We have made the trip in excellent time and as far as we can tell you, only our immediate23 families were aware we were coming here to Cuzco. I did not even send you a message because it occurred to me that someone might investigate your mail.”
“When I did not hear from you, I felt positive that you were coming,” De Castro smiled.
“That’s what I expected you to do. Texas, our part of it, has been under a blanket of snow for several weeks, so we have seen little of our neighbors, and I doubt if any220 of them know that we are not at home,” Mr. Austin explained carefully.
“Yes, it is well to be cautious; there is much at stake.”
“To shorten the story, one attempt was made on my life, possibly two, but the one came very nearly being accomplished. I wondered if the Alonzos are sufficiently59 powerful to have an organization which could be responsible for those attempts.”
“Humph. Well, I believe they are. And, since you mention it, two of our important directors were mysteriously ill at the time of the last meeting. They recovered in a day or so, but their medical men are still at a loss to know what was the matter with them. They have been taking every precaution since, in fact, they have had themselves and their homes strictly60 guarded,” De Castro announced, then added, “But there is no one they suspect, and as far as I know, there seems to have been no way to connect their illness with the Alonzos.”
“But the fact that the men were ill is in itself suspicious.”
“I should say that it is, very. May I ask221 what happened on your way here, and how you escaped?”
“I escaped because of my son’s promptness in acting61, and Bob’s co-operation.” Mr. Austin went on to tell the story since the arrival at Miami where the supposed Marine62 tried so hard to be taken to Havana, and the discovering of the dwarf after he had attempted to drug the flyers. The De Castros listened tensely during the recital63, and at its close, the older man got to his feet and paced up and down in his agitation64.
“Barbarous, simply barbarous. The assassins. You say the chemist was unable to classify the drug?”
“He didn’t know it. We sent the tube north and hope to get it analyzed, but he had no idea what it contained.”
“Great guns, you boys must have had a wild time fighting that dwarf,” Carlos exclaimed.
“Jim did the fighting. I was frozen to the controls,” Bob answered.
“Sure he was, but I’d have gone into the briny65 with a bumped head if he hadn’t kept the “Lark” doing stunts66. When we did slide off, he dove down under me so that I dropped222 on top of the wings. They sure did look good to me,” Jim declared.
“You didn’t look around for the dwarf?”
“As soon as a chute opens a man begins to fall slowly, and if he has his wits about him, he can guide himself in any direction. I knew that when Jim saw the plane coming under him, he’d make for it even if I didn’t get in exactly the right position. We were in a fog, and the dwarf just went tumbling on, going faster and faster. He was out of sight before I had picked up Buddy, then we were getting pretty low, so I began to climb. I didn’t know anything about what the water was like, so I didn’t dare go down. I might have landed on it half a mile from where the dwarf dropped,” Bob told them simply.
“And with the force the fellow would keep dropping.”
“Yes.”
“Well, my boys, you tell it as if it were a mere67 incident, but I know those were anxious moments for you all—ah, here are our two associates. Now, I am sure that we shall have things in our own hands and that all will be well after the meeting. Carlos, do take the boys where they can rest, and tomorrow223 perhaps you can show them something of our land. We think it very marvelous.”
“I say, maybe they’d like to fly to Amy-Ran. That’s mighty interesting and I’ve always wanted to get there in a plane. It’s an old Indian place, I won’t tell you anything about it, you can see for yourself. No one ever goes near it much, but there’s an Indian woman, no one knows how old she is, who lives near by,” Carlos told them.
“That surely sounds as if it would be worth seeing,” the Buddies agreed heartily68. “Suppose you’ll be staying over tomorrow, Dad?”
“I believe that I may have to,” Mr. Austin answered.
“Stay over the day! Indeed you are, you shall stay several days,” De Castro announced emphatically.
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1
seaman
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| n.海员，水手，水兵 | |
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wireless
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| adj.无线的；n.无线电 | |
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dwarf
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| n.矮子，侏儒，矮小的动植物；vt.使…矮小 | |
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inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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hop
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| n.单脚跳，跳跃；vi.单脚跳，跳跃；着手做某事；vt.跳跃，跃过 | |
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chilly
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| adj.凉快的，寒冷的 | |
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applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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analyst
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| n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家 | |
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analyzed
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| v.分析( analyze的过去式和过去分词 )；分解；解释；对…进行心理分析 | |
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buddy
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| n.（美口）密友，伙伴 | |
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pajamas
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| n.睡衣裤 | |
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sentry
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| n.哨兵，警卫 | |
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saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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scent
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| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
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strenuous
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| adj.奋发的，使劲的；紧张的；热烈的，狂热的 | |
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indicator
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| n.指标；指示物，指示者；指示器 | |
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necessitate
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| v.使成为必要，需要 | |
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visualize
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| vt.使看得见，使具体化，想象，设想 | |
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brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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gasp
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| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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garbed
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| v.（尤指某类人穿的特定）服装，衣服，制服( garb的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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royalty
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| n.皇家，皇族 | |
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appreciation
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| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
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buddies
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| n.密友( buddy的名词复数 )；同伴；弟兄；（用于称呼男子，常带怒气）家伙v.（如密友、战友、伙伴、弟兄般）交往( buddy的第三人称单数 )；做朋友；亲近（…）；伴护艾滋病人 | |
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turnip
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| n.萝卜，芜菁 | |
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gee
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| n.马；int.向右！前进！，惊讶时所发声音；v.向右转 | |
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taunted
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| 嘲讽( taunt的过去式和过去分词 )； 嘲弄； 辱骂； 奚落 | |
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chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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hamper
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| vt.妨碍，束缚，限制；n.(有盖的)大篮子 | |
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bellowed
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| v.发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的过去式和过去分词 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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ridges
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| n.脊( ridge的名词复数 )；山脊；脊状突起；大气层的)高压脊 | |
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42
glistened
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| v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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arid
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| adj.干旱的；(土地)贫瘠的 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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plantation
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| n.种植园，大农场 | |
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promotion
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| n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传 | |
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veranda
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| n.走廊；阳台 | |
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reins
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| 感情，激情； 缰( rein的名词复数 )； 控制手段； 掌管； （成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的）保护带 | |
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portico
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| n.柱廊，门廊 | |
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51
pretentious
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| adj.自命不凡的，自负的，炫耀的 | |
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devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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discrepancies
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| n.差异，不符合（之处），不一致（之处）( discrepancy的名词复数 ) | |
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investigation
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| n.调查，调查研究 | |
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55
maneuvering
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| v.移动，用策略( maneuver的现在分词 )；操纵 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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adjournment
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| 休会； 延期； 休会期； 休庭期 | |
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undesirable
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| adj.不受欢迎的，不良的，不合意的，讨厌的；n.不受欢迎的人，不良分子 | |
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59
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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62
marine
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| adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵 | |
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63
recital
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| n.朗诵，独奏会，独唱会 | |
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agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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briny
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| adj.盐水的；很咸的；n.海洋 | |
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66
stunts
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| n.惊人的表演( stunt的名词复数 )；（广告中）引人注目的花招；愚蠢行为；危险举动v.阻碍…发育[生长]，抑制，妨碍( stunt的第三人称单数 ) | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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