Trackers of the Fog Pack; Or, Jack Ralston Flying Blind

CHAPTER XXVII

Pike’s Peak, or – Bust!

When Jack made this dramatic announcement Perk manifested such supreme astonishment, coupled with delight, that his eyes looked as if they would jump out of his head. He reached over and clutched the other’s hand, which he proceeded to squeeze unmercifully, as he burst out:

“Hot-diggetty-dig! but did yeou ever hear o’ sech great luck in all yeour born days? Why, it seems like there might be a back door to the Hole-in-the-Wall, after all; which mebbe nary a single boob in the bunch has ever discovered!”

“I figured it all out while down there, and peeking,” Jack continued to explain; “and felt certain what you are saying was absolutely true. You see the fissure lies high up on the wall, and there seems to be a narrow slanting shelf running down nearly to the bottom, where green grass is growing that would hide a trail of footsteps wonderfully, if we decided to drop into the valley while night lasted, and investigate; possibly get in touch with friend Simeon.”

“Great stuff yeou’re a givin’ me partner; looks like ever’thing might be arunnin’ for a fall with them tough guys. They’re so dead sure nawthin’ kin reach aout an’ git ’em, they trust to dumb luck, an’ lays ’raound puttin’ on layers o’ fat, playin’ keerds an’ agamblin’ away sech cash as they got in the divide-up arter the last scoop.”

“Let’s hope Fortune will keep on smiling, Perk; but just the same we’ll keep our wits sharpened, and let no opportunity for making a point pass us by.”

“Huh! guess naow as haow yeou mean we gotter to trust in the Lord, but keep aour powder dry; like the ole Pilgrim Fathers uster do in Colonial days, – as I’ve read in hist’ry.”

“Exactly,” concurred Jack, to add, as though he could not quite get over the great satisfaction his latest discovery gave him: “but look at the advantage we now have, being able, as I think is certain, to go and come in and out of the valley, without any one being the wiser.”

“Jest so, Jack, we doant need to try an’ slip past the sentry we reckoned was on duty at the narrer pass – kinder got my goat wonderin’ haow in tarnation we was agoin’ to chuck him overboard when the time kim along. Naow we needn’t bother headin’ thataway, ’less we wanted to keep them boobs plugged up inside the big hole. Doant furgit I fetched along some bombs that cud do the trick, an’ mebbe blow up that ere pass sky-high, makin’ a reg’lar jumble o’ things which they couldn’t climb over, it might be.”

“Not a bad idea at all, brother,” Jack told him, with an admiring look. “When it comes to doing big things, especially with all kinds of bombs, (even to mustard and the tear sort) you take the cake. Wait until we get our final plan going, and we’ll see what can be done to give them a great scare. With their leader missing, and the entrance to their valley fort laid in ruins, I reckon they’d cut and run for it, thinking Uncle Sam would now send a force by air ship to round them up.”

“Gosh amighty! but things do look good to me, partner,” Perk could not help saying again, with his face wreathed in smiles.

“Well, I’m first meaning to take you down through that passage, and let you have a glimpse out through the second fissure in the cliff. I’d like to make certain, if we dared take the risk, that the sloping little trail is safe enough to let us creep down, and come up again, in case we decided to try and get in touch with Simeon this very night!”

“Wow! that same ’peals to me like all get-aout, partner. Le’s shake a foot right away an’ go,” was Perk’s energetic appeal, as he got to his feet, primed for fresh adventure and discoveries – always ready to “do things.”

Accordingly Jack led the way into the hole in the wall, his little hand-electric torch lighting up the passage, so there was no risk of either of them stumbling when they “took a chance,” as Perk would say.

Later on, after they had arrived at the terminus of the down-grade, Jack whispered directions in his chum’s ear, and started him off to take his first view of the valley floor from that lower level. Perk was extra careful not to expose even his nose, in securing this thrilling survey, and came back fairly bubbling over with excitement, also enthusiasm.

They sat there within sight of the daylight streak, talking in whispers, and exchanging comments on the situation. Afterwards they both crept forward, and commenced a careful survey, even to poking out a head when it seemed judicious and safe to do so.

“Perhaps,” suggested wise Jack, after a while, “we’d better get busy at the old stand, where it’s easy to watch everything that goes on in the enclosed valley. I want to fix the points so carefully in my mind, that I could move around in the blackest night, and keep clear of the different huts and shacks.”

“You would – that’s right,” commented Perk, firm believer that he was in his best pal’s ability to carry on where most other men must give up, and seek help; “any feller what could fly blind through the worst sea o’ fog that ever was seen, kin do like he had cat’s eyes, an’ could see things in the pitch dark.”

“You rate me much too high, brother; if I’m any judge you’ve got far better vision for distances than I ever boasted. But it’s always been one of my pet schemes to build up my memory by what you might call a brain photograph that I can depend on to give me my points when in a fog, or the blackness of midnight. But come on, let’s be moving upwards again, Perk.”

Before another half hour had expired they were once more crouching back of their friendly brush screen, and taking turns in making good use of the powerful binoculars.

“Lucky thing, Jack, we didn’t leave these here bully glasses behind by mistake when we fixed to start on this same little jaunt an’ adventure,” Perk was saying, almost under his breath, as he handed the object in question to his companion, making each movement slowly, so as to keep from attracting attention to the top of the high cliff.

“That could never happen to us, brother,” Jack told him, with conviction in his tones; “because wherever we go in our task of getting some particular man the Government wants badly, these same glasses are worth their weight in solid gold – don’t make any mistake about that, partner.”

“Huh! I’d say six times over, they air, Mister. ’Member haow we used ’em daown there in Florida, when chasin’ after them wind-jammer planes the smugglers were usin’ to fetch in all kinds o’ stuff that didn’t pay any duty – hard booze, diamonds, even yaller Chinks what was willin’ to set up the long green flimsies so’s to get a footin’ on U. S. A. soil. They helped us kerry aout aour plans jest fine.”

The long afternoon slowly passed, and as evening drew on apace Jack was ready to call it a full day.

“I’m loaded for bear, as they say, Perk,” he announced, showing signs of giving up the lookout, with the gathering of shadows far down below in the long valley. “I mean by that I fancy I’ve got all my bearings down pat, and couldn’t better the same no matter how much time I spent.”

“Gosh all hemlock! partner, does that same mean we kin get started this very night to make contact with Simeon?” demanded the duly thrilled Perk, backing out on hands and knees from his covert.

“Why waste any more time when there’s no need?” Jack told him. “A bad spell of weather might come along to knock our plans silly; or perhaps these chaps down yonder might have some scheme that would take them pretty much all away on a big lay. We couldn’t play our hands if the man we want so badly has gone off with his crowd, to hold up some bank, or treasure train, could we? So while the stars hold out to shine up in the sky, and things seem to be fairly quiet with that mob, we’ll see what luck we have. I’ve got it figured out that Simeon must sleep in that dun-colored army tent close to the cookhouse, and dining hall; so that’s bound to be our main objective tonight, after we land in the valley.”

“Huh! only thing I got to worryin’ ’bout, partner, is dawgs,” said Perk, with a particular emphasis on the last word.

“Yes, I know they seem to have several bow-wows in the settlement; but as a rule they’re common riffraff stuff – never a sign of a police dog, or collie; so we needn’t anticipate any trouble from such measly mutts, only good to play with, or gnaw a bone. So let’s figure we’re going to make connections with Simeon tonight, if it’s any way possible, or know the reason why.”

“Yeah!” Perk added joyously, “Pike’s peak – or bust, it is – make it unanimous ev’rybody.”

CHAPTER XXVIII

Invading the Tigers’ Lair

Having thus decided to begin work that same night, naturally Jack and his best pal were more or less concerned as to what the weather promised.

As aviators they had become accustomed to securing the very latest Government report as to the probabilities ahead, so that by now this had become a habit. The knowledge that there was a strong likelihood of a dense fog along their proposed route – perhaps signs of a war of the elements, not only put them doubly on their guard, but often proved of value in meeting and overcoming the threatening danger.

In this instance they had no weather sharp to give them a clue, founded on late wires from different points, as to the velocity of the wind, its direction, the chances of snow or rain, perhaps electrical disturbances in the bargain – now everything must depend on their own ability to figure things out through taking note of the heavens, and kindred storm indicators.

Jack was a fair weather prophet himself, though never so bold as to claim absolute perfection; yes, and Perk too prided himself on knowing considerable, also able to tell when any severe upset was in the offing – though it must be confessed he was rather inclined to depend on an aching corn, or some sort of queer itching in his joints, to be able to 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 finally agreed that, unless something came along to materially affect matters, they could reasonable expect quite a lengthy spell of seasonable weather.

At any rate the fact that both reached the same conclusion was looked upon as promising double insurance – several days would surely see them through their big job, and that was all they asked.

Accordingly, having settled that part of the arrangement, they started for their underground retreat, feeling that thus far everything seemed to be working in their interest.

Perk was looking wonderfully pleased, and Jack could give a good guess just why this should be so. It had been arranged that on this fateful evening, when their mission was on the eve of taking a fresh spurt, Perk was to be permitted to actually cook a meal– such as the camp larder allowed.

He had asked his comrade concerning the possibility of the odors betraying their hiding place; and Jack told him there was not one chance in a hundred of such a thing coming about.

“Already you’ve been smoking in our cave, and the odor of your tobacco must have floated out to the open air; but from what we’ve learned no one ever comes up this way – those lazy panhandlers down there wouldn’t bother themselves to scout around. So its perfectly safe to fry your bacon, and even make coffee – if you’ve got any sort of a vessel to contain the same.”

“Jest leave all that to little Perk, Senor Jack,” the other told him, in half suppressed excitement; “I’m the lad as kin sling the hash to beat the band. My innards air yellin’ fur a gen-u-ine hot meal, ’cause cold stuff doant seem to touch the spot. Git ready to give yeour tummy a treat fur a change.”

They were back in the cavern when this little discussion took place; and no sooner had a decision been reached than Perk commenced his preparations; Jack meantime busying himself with pencil and paper, figuring out certain little problems connected with their programme for the night.

Later on Jack began to lift his head, and turn anxious glances toward his busy comrade, meanwhile sniffing the atmosphere, and faintly smiling– when a healthy young man, accustomed to feeding on first-class chow, day in and day out, is forced by reason of unusual circumstances to partaking – in limited quantities at that – of cold meals, with an extremely minute bill of fare in the bargain, naturally when once again catching the appetizing whiff of frying rashers of prime bacon, also sliced potatoes; and above all the thrilling odor of boiling Java coffee, how could he help displaying his joy at the prospect of such a coming treat?

The realization was quite as good as the anticipation, only it must be confessed that when they had dutifully scraped the pan absolutely clean, and squeezed out the last drop of the ambrosia Perk had brewed in some sort of a hobo empty quart fruit-can, that chanced to be aboard their ship, neither of them felt filled to capacity.

“Never mind,” Jack remarked, observing the rueful expression on his chum’s face, and watching him rubbing his stomach, as if to show how far from being distended it was; “the sample was extra fine. Just hold your 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 a short 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 must elapse before it would be safe to start operations.

Perk asked numerous questions, since as usual certain matters seemed a bit 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 careful Jack refused to pay any heed to all the long sighs that welled up from Perk’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 the outlet we can do the balance of our loafing, until it looks safe for us to start. That ought to be well along toward midnight, all depending how soon 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 much of this was stilled. A number of them, however, seemed to be gathered in the dining hall, gambling – these evidently were the lucky players; those who had already turned in the ones who had in previous bouts been cleaned out, and must hold themselves in check until another foray had been carried out, with fresh plunder divided up among the members of the lawless community.

Lying there at the crevice that formed a back door to their wonderful cave, the two sky detectives listened, and whispered to each other; meanwhile keeping a close watch on the big log-cabin, where lights could be seen through an opening serving as one of the rude windows, destitute of 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 that talking in ordinary tones would be exceedingly risky; “it’s the habit of Simeon as sexton and cook of the central ranch, to shut up shop, turn out the lamp and then limp around to the tent where he sleeps, a pretty tired man I’d say. We want to be on hand to give him the tip that strangers are inside the barricades of the valley. Then, when he knows who’s come to his assistance we can start to make up our plans for the big 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 the service for a good many years, and learned to control his emotions, no matter what happens. You’ll not hear a whisper from his lips when we speak his name – I’d stake anything on that.”

Presently, from indications they believed the last three men had emerged from the dining hall; some one was moving about within, which Jack felt certain must be the prisoner who had been forced to play the part of general servant, possibly to humiliate him for his attempt to break up the gang.

“It’s time we moved along,” whispered Jack, with which remark he crawled out upon the little ledge, and commenced the rather hazardous task of backing down the incline, each movement being executed with extreme care.

It turned out just as they had anticipated, for the sloping ledge kept on to the level of the valley bed, although it must have been next to impossible for any one to distinguish its presence from the level ground.

Jack led the way, and they were close to the tent, when the last light vanished in the big cabin near by. Presently, just as Jack had figured with such exactness, a dim figure came slowly around the corner, almost colliding with the crouching pair.

CHAPTER XXIX

All Ready for the Grand Blowout

“Simeon!”

Perk held his breath in awe as his pal whispered that one word.

An answering voice, very, very low, came back, asking a question; and in another second Jack was squeezing the groping hand of the duly thrilled prisoner of the outlaw’s hidden retreat.

It was considered much too risky for them to remain there, and try to engage in explanations; so Jack took the other in tow, and led him over to the foot of the mighty cliff, with Perk trailing in.

So well taken had Jack’s calculations been that he hit the exact spot at which the descending slope of rock ended amidst the green grass. In whispers he explained what must be done in order to gain a secure place where they might converse without incurring any risk.

With Jack leading the way, and Perk acting as a buffer in the rear, to prevent the rather unsteady Simeon, trembling in every limb from extreme excitement, from falling off the narrow and treacherous ledge, they all managed to presently gain the passage leading to the big central cavern.

Here they sat down, and a brisk conversation followed between Jack and Simeon – after Perk had been duly introduced to the captive Service man.

Without going into too many details everything was told by Jack, to account for the presence of himself and partner in the tigers’ den amidst the mountains. Then in his turn Simeon briefly sketched the mishap in connection with the discovery of himself and companion; sadly admitting that his fellow worker had been shot down and killed in the battle although combined they had diminished the roll-call of the tough gangsters by one bad man slain, and two wounded.

“I was myself seriously shot in the left leg,” he went on to say; “and undoubtedly would have been tortured, and put to death by those fiends, they hate and despise Secret Service men so much, only for one thing – Slippery Slim Garrabrant chances to be a brother-in-law of mine – nothing to be proud of, and of which I’ve never boasted, you may be certain. We married sisters, both of whom have since passed on. He has no love for me, but showed a streak of decency, I must admit, in sparing my life, although letting the gang make me its general servant, and cook. Still, things might have been worse with me, and I’m not complaining. I reckoned the Chief would do something to learn just what had become of poor Ross and myself; but never believed I’d get out of this sweet mess alive.”

They talked, and conspired for a full hour, when Simeon declared it was time he left these new-found allies. Some one might happen to come to his tent on an errand, for he served as doctor as well as cook; and thus discover his absence.

It was arranged that he come again to the crevice in the cliff the following night, when they could go deeper into the bold scheme Jack had suggested, and which appeared to meet with his hearty approval; for he turned out to be just the same type of man as Jack Ralston himself, a believer in daring and aggressive work.

Perk managed to explain how short of provisions they chanced to be, and to his extreme delight Simeon accommodatingly promised to fetch some eatables with him when he joined them on the following night.

After that the pair retraced their steps along the passage, being able, thanks to Jack’s flashlight, to fight shy of all impediments such as loose stones, and pitfalls that might have given them a bad half hour, had they attempted to proceed in the darkness.

Again they tried to get some sleep, and Jack, who was able to control his feelings better than his mate, succeeded admirably; but Perk, more excitable, only secured what he called “cat-naps,” being awake a good deal of the night.

The following day they spent much as before. Perk again trailed down to where the camouflaged airship lay under its covering of evergreens. He took back a few things they were not apt to need, and yet which they disliked leaving behind, once they quitted the neighborhood of the valley; but his main object was to make certain the plane was safe, and in condition for a quick take-off in case such became a necessity, as was likely.

Jack on his part added materially to his knowledge of things, and in a fashion touched up portions of his intended programme, to be carried out whenever Simeon, who could best know, told them conditions looked most promising.

Much to Perk’s relief Simeon did not fail them; and then, too, he brought a promising bit of plunder in the shape of provisions, which came from the commissary of the settlement, and of which he held the key.

Another hour of talk followed, and further details of their great plan were discussed. Simeon assured them the opportunity for which they waited was certain to arrive on the following night, so they must make all preparations to put their confidence to the test and expect to quit the game, it was to be hoped with a victory set down to their credit.

On the following day a party of the marauders planned to set out on a most important raid, that promised unusually great plunder. Slim Garrabrant could not accompany them that particular time, having injured his right arm so that he must be unsteady in the saddle; which fact Jack observed virtually cinched the plan they had been arranging.

If all went well, after the party had gone forth, Simeon before dark would as if by chance throw a red cloth on top of the big cabin; which would be a signal that the coast was clear, and everything ready for their working scheme.

When the following day came along, Perk was for the third time dispatched along his former trail down the mountain-side. This time he carried quite a load on his strong back; for, as they anticipated not having to spend another night in the Tom Sawyer cave – Perk always called it by that suggestive name that carried him back to his own boyhood dreaming, and reading – he was taking pretty much all the things he had toted up the ascent shortly before, so they could be safely stowed away in the airship’s cabin.

Everything thus far had gone along like clockwork – if only there was no slip after they had started their attempt to take Slim prisoner, the chances for a regular old-fashioned cleanup looked bright, Perk kept telling himself.

He got back to Jack’s side in due time, with nothing transpiring calculated to breed trouble. They ate their last meal in the cave, and then passing down to their secret exit, waited for the time to come when they could translate planning into action, and endeavor to bring about a successful windup of their mission.

CHAPTER XXX

The End of Robbers’ Roost – Conclusion

Looking back when all this was but a memory, it must always seem like a dream to Perk. Everything moved along smoothly as if in grooves. They joined the waiting Simeon alongside the big cabin, and he led them to the hut which Slim occupied by himself, because of his being the acknowledged leader and “high-muck-a-muck” – as Perk always had it – of the outlaw league.

They took the occupant completely by surprise, and a smart blow on the head kept him still until they could secure his arms, and fasten a cloth over his mouth to prevent his giving the alarm.

Then he was hustled outside, and with Jack on one side and Simeon on the other convoyed as noiselessly as possible to the mouth of the valley, and the narrow pass. Perk had vanished for the time being, but joined them about the time they reached their objective, acting as though secretly pleased over something he had just carried out. Jack had a suspicion as to its character, having heard the other muttering certain threats that were aimed at the miserable but useful old ship, manipulated by the counterfeiters in bringing in supplies, and distributing the result of their latest printing.