Flying the Coast Skyways. Jack Ralston's Swift Patrol
TextCHAPTER XXIII
At the Rendezvous
The big amphibian, well loaded down, made a creditable take-off, and they were soon mounting up toward cloudland. As on the previous occasion there chanced to be a never ending flock of beautiful white fleecy clouds passing along, with the sun shining most of the time, since the banks of vapor were “light-weight,” as Perk poetically described them.
Looking back Perk took his last view of Charleston, a bit regretfully, since the quaint aspects of the city, connected with oldtime buildings, and other agreeable sights, had somehow gripped his heart.
Jack again soon headed off the coast, it being his intention, if the conditions were at all favorable, to drop down on the sea, and float there, waiting until the afternoon was well advanced before heading in to the shore.
After they had passed for many miles up the coast he picked out a spot – after being warned by the lookout that there were two large vessels standing off beyond the twenty-mile line, undoubtedly mother-ships loaded down with fresh supplies of contraband – where they could lie upon the surface of the water undetected by any one passing far above, or at such a distance away as the foreign ships appeared to lie.
Jack could not remember having ever known the restless Atlantic to remain almost perfectly calm for such a long stretch of time – he felt like taking it as a favorable sign concerning the carrying out of their individual great plan – even the elements were apparently in league to render them assistance, which he took it to be most kind and reassuring on their part.
Along about three in the afternoon Perk, again searching everywhere for some sort of discovery, announced that he had picked out a plane ducking in and out of the white battalions of clouds still passing overhead.
“Seems like she might be acomin’ from that quarter where we got aour hunch the landin’ field o’ their airships must lie,” he went on to say, as though his mind was made up along those lines. “Reckon as haow they caint pick weuns off daown hyah, suh, seein’ aour wings air abaout the same color as the sea all ’raound this same spot.”
“Not the least chance of such a thing, partner,” Jack assured him; “I had them colored that way purposely, seeing that we’d be likely to squat down this way when spying on the mother ship further out – not even if they have binoculars aboard, which they undoubtedly must, could any one make us out. Heading for that foreign steamship, isn’t that cloud chaser?”
“Straight away, suh, as sure as shootin’. Course they reckon on loadin’ up with somethin’ that’s aboard, an’ wants to git ashore the wust kind – mebbe a bunch o’ Chinks it might be; or else some sorter stuff like high-toned laces, Cape diamonds, or sech expensive big things as allers come in small packages.”
“At any rate,” Jack went on to mention, “they are heading for one of those two foreign boats further out. You say there were several speed boats and launches fast to the sides of the big freighters, when you glimpsed them? Strikes me things are breaking about right for our making a start in the big racket tonight – of course depending on Jethro’s bobbing up all serene.”
Perk followed the course of the airship dipping in and out of the cloud belt, and after quite some time had elapsed made his announcement.
“They sure is acomin’ daown ashootin’, Big Boss. Reckons as haow there must be a good hand at that ere stick, a lad as knows his business okay – there, he’s flattened aout, an’ takes things some easier, seein’ as haow the ship’s ready to make contact with the sea. Aint this a reg’lar picnic o’ a time, when weuns kin jest lay here like a gull afloatin’ on the water, an’ see haow them smugglin’ devils work things. Little do they suspect that there’s sumpin’ hangin’ heavy over ther heads, an’ liable to crash any ole minit from naow on.”
It was by now getting close to the time Jack figured on making a start. He planned on taking a leaf from the routine methods brought into service by the expert pilots manning the illegal air carriers, passing in and out from mother ship to their secret landing place – by making a high ceiling, and depend on a curtain of lofty clouds to effectually screen their presence while hopping over the danger zone.
“Time we skipped out of this,” he told Perk, who emitted a muffled roar which was possibly meant to be an expression akin to applause.
The waves were picking up somewhat in the bargain, which may have been one of the reasons why the ever cautious Jack wanted to get moving: he did not have any particular yearning for a headlong dash amidst rolling billows, such as might cause considerable trouble, even bring risk in their train should they find themselves compelled to make the venture.
However, they made the ascent without great trouble, even if there was a certain amount of splashing done. Perk looked pleased when the ship arose from its salt water contact, and began climbing at a steady pace.
Jack held out for some little time as though meaning to pass inshore far to the north of the point he was really aiming to attain; this he did to hoodwink any one who might chance to see them through strong glasses, and feel a little curious to know who they were, also, what their object could be in carrying on after such a fashion.
Eventually he turned more into the west; then, after passing over the shore line, faced due southwest, and sped on.
Finally when Perk warned them they were approaching their proposed landing-place Jack brought his charge lower until presently, as evening drew on apace, they could be seen sweeping along not five hundred feet above the tops of the tall cypress trees with their queer festoons of trailing Spanish moss.
Then came a glimpse of Black Water Bayou, bordered by the mysterious gloomy looking swamp, from whence had come all those uncouth sounds on the occasion of their stopover some time previously.
“Huh! mebbe we’ll git right ’customed to them awful noises,” Perk was assuring himself, as their pontoons glided along the smooth surface of the lonely lagoon, and the boat headed directly toward that artificial curtain behind which they had previously pocketed their “windjammer,” or as Perk sometimes called their craft the “crocodile” – partly because, as he affirmed, such a reptile was the only real amphibian, able to negotiate both land and water in turn, and feeling at home in both.
“So far, okay,” he observed, softly, after the boat had come to a stop, close to that friendly ambush where they could readily hide their craft should they choose to start forth with Jethro aboard his smaller ducking powerboat; “an’ naow let’s on’y hope the gink shows up on time.”
“I wouldn’t speak of Jethro in that sort of way, buddy,” remonstrated Jack. “It’s true he is a Southern cracker, without much education; but that I’d call his misfortune and not his fault. Mr. Herriott says he’s a chap with considerable principle, and his one weakness is about the wrongs this bunch of men have done him and his family. He is ready to encounter every risk if only he can show them up, cripple their big business, and possibly send some of the lot to Atlanta for a term of years.”
“I get yeou, partner,” said Perk, contritely; “shore didn’t mean anything by sayin’ what I did; an’ I’ll be glad to shake Jethro’s flipper whensoever we meet.”
“I knew you’d feel that way, Wally; and it may not be a great many minutes before the chance comes along.”
“Meanin’, I take it, Boss, he orter show up right soon?” demanded the other.
“This is the rendezvous place you know, where we agreed to wait for him,” explained Jack; “he, may be a bit late getting up here, for his boat is an old one; though Mr. Herriott did tell me he himself had had it fixed up some, to work a lot smoother – Uncle Sam stood the racket, too; and you know when he foots a bill nothing is too good to be utilized. We may be surprised when we see that same dinky powerboat.”
“As haow, partner?” queried Perk, his curiosity aroused immediately.
“Wait and see, brother,” Jack told him, tantalizingly. “Our first duty right now is to poke the nose of our airship back of this dandy natural curtain, where it just couldn’t be seen, unless a close search was being made, our plans possibly having been given away. That couldn’t happen in a coon’s age, we’ve been so cautious, so secretive, and made no confidents except Mr. Herriott – and through him necessarily Jethro. Take hold, and help me swing her along back of the trailing moss and vines.”
When this had been effected Jack again whispered:
“Listen while I give the signal, partner; if by any chance hostile ears were to catch the quacking of a duck, it could hardly excite the slightest notice; for such a sound often breaks out in the darkness of night down here, since a duck on the water acts as sentry to the sleeping flock. Here goes, then:”
CHAPTER XXIV
Perk Rides in the Ghost Boat
“Quack – quack – quack – quack!”
Perk chuckled at the clever way Jack imitated the outcry of a startled feathered pilgrim from the Far North – old shooter as he was, Perk felt confident he himself would have been deceived did he not know whence the sounds proceeded.
He listened intently, hoping they might not be disappointed in their expectations. There came an answering call from a point close by – it gave Perk a positive thrill – then Jethro must have already arrived, spurred on by his burning desire to pay his debt of hatred long since over due.
Jack waited a dozen seconds, after which he again sent out his call, repeating the first one exactly – four quacks.
“Gee whiz! somepin’s amovin’ over yonder, matey!” whispered the excited Perk, as they peered through openings in the leafy curtain by which the airship was so deftly concealed.
“I see it,” answered Jack, also feeling a thrill of satisfaction, in that their great scheme gave positive indications of being about to start off with a bang. “It’s some sort of boat okay – too dark yet to tell just what shape the same may be. There, it’s coming out of hiding now.”
“An’ a powerboat in the bargain – Jethro’s crate, I shore reckons; but hot-diggetty-dig! see haow fast she’s a headin’ thisaway, yet yeou caint ketch even a ripple, or hear the exhaust one teeny bit. A ghost boat, I’d call her, partner, blamed if I wouldn’t.”
Jack chuckled as if amused.
“Mr. Herriott put me wise about that,” he explained, softly. “It’s one of the big improvements Uncle Sam brought about in that old craft, in order that it could do the work so much better – and safer. You see, the overboard motor that’s been installed in place of the old one is up-to-date, and has its exhaust away down deep, so it can swing along without any of the racket most power-boats kick up. It’s used a great deal by fishermen, who troll for game-fish, and would expect but scant captures if their boat kept spluttering away as the old type used to do. Get that now, Wally?”
“Jest what I do, ole pal; an’ say, aint it won-der-ful what things they’re inventin’ these days – talk ’bout there bein’ nawthin’ new under the sun, why, hardly a day slips past that we doant hear or read ’baout stunnin’ discoveries. That certain is a happy thought. But here he is, clost to us, pard.”
“Hello! thar!” came in a low, discreet voice, as the oncoming boat slowed up by degrees.
“It’s okay, Jethro – we’re on hand as promised!”
As Jack said this the other gave a low laugh, as though greatly pleased to find his new employer so prompt, and evidently a man of his word.
He was soon leaning from his seat in the cockpit of his ancient powerboat, (in which he had for some years been engaged taking parties out from Charleston for their fishing, or shooting) and grasping first the extended hand of eager Perk, then that of Jack Ralston.
He had been put wise as to their real identity, but warned to meet them under their assumed names, so as to ward off any possible risk of discovery. So it was he lowered his voice to a hoarse whisper as he spoke after the handshake.
“Ah ’low as how yuh reckoned ah mout be some slow agittin’ hyah, suh; but since they fixed up my ole dickey boat, she shore do step along like smoke.”
“Glad to know that, Jethro,” said Jack, to whom the other had turned as if readily recognizing which of the pair must be the leader of the desperate enterprize with which he had committed his fortunes so gladly. “Looks like a fine night for us to make a beginning.”
“Jest what hit is, suh; couldn’t be no better, ah’d say. An’ ah done reckons as how they be some big doin’s goin’ on over tuh the station ternight.”
“That sounds good to me, Jethro,” Jack assured him. “Fact is, I’m beginning to believe the Fates are working in our favor right along, from the way things keep happening. Now I’m going to put the work in your hands as far as getting us in touch with these parties goes.”
“I kinder figgered as how yuh’d do thet same, suh,” said the confident Jethro, “seein’ as how I knows the ground like er book. I aint agoin’ tuh let yuh down, suh, bet yuh boots I aint.”
Perk had not tried to break into this brief confab; truth to tell he was engaged just then in keeping “tabs” on Jethro’s manner of speech, so as to determine how close to the real thing he himself had come when trying to play the part of a genuine Birmingham son of Dixie.
“How are we going to start this racket?” questioned Jack. “All get in your boat, and close in on the working station, so we can see with our own eyes just what sort of a show they’re putting up.”
“Them’s ther ticket, suh,” he was promptly told, showing that the guide had formed some sort of a general plan of campaign. “I be’n right up agin the level groun’ whar them airships land, an’ watched what was happenin’ lots o’ times. ’Taint no great shakes agittin’ clost tuh thet workin’ bunch, ’case they don’t reckon they’s a single stranger inside o’ ten mile. They’d shore skun me alive if they’d run ontuh me; but I knowed my beans, an’ how tuh fool ther best o’ ’em.”
Jack liked the way the other talked – it showed that Jethro had considerable self-confidence; also that the consuming passion running like hot lava through his veins was not apt to warp his judgment in the least. He could be depended on to keep fairly cool and discreet under any trying condition; and should matters ever come to a showdown, such a man would fight like a South Carolina wildcat, of that Jack also felt assured.
“Then we’ll leave the ship concealed here back of this screen, and climb aboard with you, Jethro,” Jack told him. “I put it up to you to say when we ought to make a start.”
“Right away’d be ther right thing ter do, suh,” came the answer; after both Jack and Perk had changed to the reconditioned powerboat. “Yuh see, it’s sum way tuh go, the river’s so crooked in places; so I kalc’late things they’ll be fair hummin’ by ther time we gits thar.”
“Just as you say, Jethro; but perhaps we ought to take certain things with us – no telling just how soon we might find a use for the same. Wally, climb back, and pass them over to me – you know what I mentioned I’d like to have along.”
Evidently Perk had committed the list to memory, for he handed the articles over in rapid succession – guns, along with other things that must have been a rank mystery to the staring Jethro, though he made no remark.
“That’s all, Big Boss,” observed Perk, once more changing to the powerboat, and the seat he had just started to warm up.
Not the ghost of a sound of passing vapor came to Perk’s strained ears as the boat picked up a certain amount of speed, heading directly for the near-by river, which Jack had called the Yamasaw. Perk could hardly believe there could be such a thing as throttling the noisy clamor he had always associated with the passage of a motorboat, usually heard over the water from a distance of several miles. Truly the wizards must be hard at work these days, performing near-miracles right and left – first the aircraft’s noisy discharge conquered; and now the humble powerboat reduced to absolute submission.
Jack quickly noticed that Jethro was making no great attempt to force his smoothly working new engine. He could conceive of several good reasons for this caution – in the first place there was no need for haste; then again they would be going with the rapid current while descending the crooked stream; and last of all he could readily understand how there might be a variety of obstacles here and there, blocking their passage – logs, and huge boulders, which would surely cause the boat to founder, should they crash against some snag head-on.
On the return journey, whenever they chose to come back, the case must be different, since they would have the current to buck against, and necessarily much more power would be called upon to make decent progress.
However, Jack was not figuring as to just when that retrograde movement would come about – Perk had handed over a variety of things they would require if they chose to linger for a day and another night at least, even to some “eats” – catch Perk neglecting that part of the supplies – not if he was in his sane mind, he had told himself with unction.
Well, here they were gliding along down the river, just as Perk had so many times vividly pictured in his mind, with darkness all around them, and only Jethro’s intimate knowledge of the intricacies of the stream, and its various outjutting snags, standing between themselves and a cold bath.
Perk thrilled with deepest satisfaction. From this time on he felt assured all sorts of exciting happenings would be the order of the day or night; and no longer would he feel bored by inaction. The war against the desperate smuggler gang was on, and the outcome could not possibly be delayed much longer than forty-eight hours, he felt confident.
Half an hour and more had now passed since their start on the inland voyage, and several times they found the angry water foaming up around them as if eager to drag the adventurous voyagers down into its unknown depths. But always Jethro maintained a perfect grasp on the situation, parrying this rock, and that snag, as though he possessed the eyes of a cat.
It was simply amazing how he managed, and Perk found himself growing deeper and deeper wrapped up in sincere admiration for one who could display such wonderful skill, such fearless handling of a frail boat in all that turgid, leaping water.
Finally Jethro began to slow up, and the others knew from this that evidently they must be drawing close to the place for which they were aiming. Yes, several times when it happened the water was more calm, Perk felt positive he caught the faint sound of human voices, as though reckless men might be making merry with some sort of liquid refreshment that loosened their tongues, and made them feel unusually jolly.
So, too, did he glimpse signs of growing light, and figured that doubtless fires might be burning, with supper cooking. Fed up with a desire to set eyes on what lay so close by, Perk counted the minutes as the boat continued to move smoothly along.
Finally he found that Jethro was propelling it by hand, the noiseless engine having stopped its pulsations; and a minute later they lay back of a screen formed of hanging Spanish moss and clinging vines, quite as effectual so far as concealment went as the curtain hiding the airship.
“Git out hyah, suh;” whispered Jethro in Jack’s ear; “rest o’ ther way we gotter tuh go afoot.”
CHAPTER XXV
A Well Oiled Machine
One thing in particular Jack had noticed – this was the fact that shortly before this stop had been made they had left the main stream, and pushed up some smaller subsidiary, although the water seemed to be quite deep.
He had found it easy to understand just how speedboats, loaded down to the gunnels with sacks of contraband, were able to come up from the mouth of the Yamasaw, and make their passage safe by means of searchlights on board for that particular purpose – since they must invariably choose the night for making their depot, and eluding such searching Coast Patrol revenue cutters as were on duty in those shore waters.
It made Jack smile to think how in turn he was heading a swift patrol of the air, inaugurated to sweep this audacious combine from the sea, and break up the powerful syndicate so long defying the Government.
“It’s now got down to brass tacks,” he was telling himself, as with Perk at his side he carefully followed at the heels of the crawling cracker guide; “and a case of dog eat dog, as Perk would call it; so I only hope our canine will act the part of a German police, or shepherd dog, and eat up the other beast, that’s all.”
The closer they drew to the camp of the smugglers the more Jethro drew upon his education as a skillful tracker and guide to avoid discovery. Perk, taking occasional sly peeps, could make out a number of rough-looking men moving here and there, as though restless; and from this fact he felt confident they must be waiting for the arrival of something that had to do with their presence here in this isolated camp.
Yes, and presently he also discovered several huge motor trucks parked nearby, the presence of which settled the matter; for he knew positively a laden speedboat must be on the way, probably bucking against the current of the river at that identical minute. If they stood by their guns the best part of the night they might witness a transfer of the contraband from boat to truck; and, if very lucky, even pick up some information regarding the destination of the double load.
When finally Jethro came to a halt they were really as close to the camp as the lay of the ground on that side would permit, without taking too risky chances for discovery.
Perk was soon pulling at Jack’s sleeve as if desirous of attracting his comrade’s attention. Seeing that the other was so persistent Jack inclined his ear as a sign for the other to only speak in the faintest possible whisper, which of course Perk only too well knew was absolutely necessary.
“Looky – over there jest back o’ thet tree, an’ away from the fires – aint that some sorter crate yeou kin lamp?”
“Just what it is, a plane, and a whopping big one to boot,” Jack assured him, when he could find Perk’s ear. “No seaplane after all, so it can’t be used for going out to the mother ship; but flies over the land, taking some sort of stuff to a certain depot – may have fetched a bunch of Chinks over from Cuba on its last trip. Keep still, now, Wally, and just watch.”
The time dragged on until several hours had passed since they arrived at the landing field and camp of those busy bees engaged in hoodwinking Uncle Sam, and all his efficient coast patrol both on sea and the land.
Then a throbbing sound reached their ears; at the same time they could notice how the men no longer rough-housed among themselves. On the contrary they began to gather at a small wharf built so that a boat could draw alongside, and let the cargo be transferred to the waiting trucks for further transportation.
Perk again touched his best pal’s arm, to whisper:
“Boat’s a kickin’ up agin the current, an’ gettin’ nigh here,” he said.
“Okay, but put a stopper on your tongue, matey – eyes are all we need right now – maybe ears as well, to pick up anything that’s said worth while.”
Thus crushed Perk fell back, and concentrated his observation upon the stirring little night drama that would soon be moving along at full speed – a common enough event it must be, judging by the long security from interruption these reckless worthies had enjoyed.
The strong glare of a large searchlight down on the waterway grew brighter continually, showing that the approaching boat must be close at hand. Presently they were able to make her out, although almost dazzled by the brilliant light up in her bow, rendered necessary by the snags and rocks scattered at intervals all along the Yamasaw.
No sooner had the boat been warped to the dock than men flocked aboard, and began to tote the heaped-up heavy sacks ashore. There could be not the shadow of a doubt concerning the nature of their contents, for occasionally the eagerly listening trio caught the sound of flint glass striking against a similar clinking object; and when one sack seemed to accidentally come open, Jack caught the sheen of the light on a serried row of bottles, all bearing foreign labels. He even saw the man carrying the same swiftly crib a bottle, and conceal it under a friendly strip of wood, as though laying by a means for conviviality at a later hour.
Taken in all it was a rather tempting spectacle for a pair of Secret Service bloodhounds to find spread out before their admiring eyes. Jack was priming his ears so as to catch any careless words spoken by these men landing the cargo fetched from one of those mother ships standing by off the shore. Even a name spoken would be treasured in hopes of it eventually turning the scrutiny of Uncle Sam’s vigilant enforcers of the revenue laws upon some party, who thus far had never once been suspected as allied with this formidable conspiracy.
It did not take very long for the numerous workers to clear the decks and hold of the numerous staunch burlap sacks, each of which must have held possibly a full dozen quart bottles.
Some four stout men, apparently the crews of the two big motortrucks, kept busy loading the stuff aboard their cars. Evidently they meant to cover the entire load under some hay that was heaped up close by, possibly fetched for this very purpose, the whole being well tucked down under a dingy looking but stout tarpaulin that could be roped securely by expert hands.
Yes, it was certainly all very interesting, and instructive as well, but then the three watchers were no novices, all of them having witnessed similar sights many times in the past.
At least Jack had reason to believe certain things that floated to his ears, – mostly names being mentioned by some of the talkative workers – might prove strong clues, that, being followed up to their logical conclusion, would bring interesting developments later on.
This encouraged him very much, as he realized he was now in a position to reap some sort of harvest to pay for the hard work he had been putting in.
Now that the speed boat had been cleared of its heavy load there were movements aboard looking to a departure. It being already past midnight perhaps the master of the blockade runner – having been duly posted through some obscure means – knew just about where the Government vessel from which he had the most to fear would be cruising at that hour; and figured it would be a wise move on his part to gain the high seas as soon as convenient.
Perk saw these actions with falling spirits – he had been so sure Jack meant to begin operations without any delay that to thus let that swift contraband runner get away unscathed was really too bad.
So he had to crouch there behind the network of bushes, and see the vessel back away from the rough-looking dock, swing around in the narrow but deep creek, and then disappear down-stream, the light of its glowing reflector gradually dying out as it drew farther away.
“Huh! nawthin’ doin’ seems like,” Perk was telling himself in bitter disappointment. “I’d a given a heap jest to slip one o’ my bally time-bombs aboard that ere craft, so she’d bust into flames when far away down the river; but Jack, he doant seem ready to hit the fust crack.”
Next the two laden trucks pulled out, and could be heard bumping along the road, to take their chances of getting through without being stopped by either high-jackers or revenue men.
“Makin’ straight fo’ that same corduroy road as runs plumb through the marsh; an’ headin’ due north, too,” Perk further told himself, seeing that evidently trying to talk with his chum was taboo for the time being, “Goin’ up to Baltimore, I reckon, whar they got a big taste fo’ strong stuff, ’specially sech as comes in from abroad – reg’lar goods, with a big kick backin’ same. Huh!”
Jack had for some little time been looking earnestly first at the nearest campfire, and then diverting his gaze, seemed to stare over to where the outlaw plane rested. It was as though it might be waiting for some particular event, when possibly it would start off, after taking aboard certain valuables that would come by another airship from some point in the West Indies, evading the customs, and giving a rich bonanza to whoever was interested in thus beating the Government revenue.
“I say, Perk,” he whispered in the ear of his mate.
The other must have sensed something of unusual importance coming, for he displayed considerable eagerness as he moderated his own voice to its very lowest pitch, and made answer:
“On deck, suh!”
“That plane – I’ve been noticing how it’s left high and dry there,” Jack was saying, significantly, Perk thought.
“Shore is, suh,” the latter went on, invitingly.
“I figure that any clever lad might be able to creep close to the same – coming along by that line of bushes you can notice on the side away from the fires, and the big searchlights they use when a ship is taking off at night.”
“Easy – reg’lar snap, I’d say, suh.”
“I’ve also figured out that it wouldn’t be impossible for any clever lad to creep around from here without being seen, and so get in close grips with that same plane – how?”
Perk lifted his head a trifle, and appeared to study the conditions, which was not at all surprising since up to that minute it had never once occurred to him there would be any call upon him for such services.
“I’d be tickled pink to tackle the job, suh – jest try me!” he finally declared, and at that without even asking why such a dangerous mission should enter into the head of his superior.
“Can you first of all sneak back to the boat, and pick up that little bottle you filled with gasoline before we left the Crocodile?”
“Easy as all get aout, that’s right, suh.”
“Well, make sure you’ve got plenty of matches that strike without making any snap,” warned Jack; “because we have a chance to get rid of the first outlaw airship, and so make our initial dent in the ironclad syndicate!”