e passed, with nothing out-of-the-way
taking place to attract his attention. He figured that if the pilot of
the Curtiss-Robin crate intended to come back that night, he was subject
to some sort of delay.

There was frequent splashing in the lagoon near by--at times Perk could
tell it must be caused by jumping mullet, but on other occasions the
sound being many times exaggerated, he reckoned it had been made by an
alligator plunging off a log into the water, either alarmed by some
sound further off, or else possessed of a desire to enter a secret
underwater den he laid claim to. This would probably have a second
entrance, or exit, up on some hummock that Perk had failed to discover
when poking around on the preceding day hunting green stuff with which
to conceal the deck of the sloop.

Suddenly Perk noticed a slim streak of pale light fall athwart the
propeller blade just before him and looking hastily up discovered the
smiling face of the moon--a bit battered it is true, for the silvery
queen of night was just then on the wane.

It was high time they were moving and making for the goal Jack had
mentioned as an inland lake, though at no time did he give the name by
which it was known to the settlers and tourists who flocked to Florida
during the late Fall and early Winter. So he touched Jack on the
shoulder, just he he had promised he would do, nor did he have to give
the slightest shake for the other stirred and raised his head, showing
he was wide awake.

CHAPTER XVI

THE LOCKHEED-VEGA FLYING SHIP

"Moon coming up, partner!" was all Perk said.

"Then it's time we were moving," Jack told him as he started to stretch
his cramped arms and yawn. "Feel a heap better now after that little nap
and ready for what's coming."

They did not have much to do, since everything was in perfect condition
for hopping-off--trust Jack for that, with his slogan of "be prepared."

"All set, Perk?" asked the pilot, presently.

"Shoot!" was the terse answer.

The bright moon would have to take the place of the customary equipment
of a landing field in the way of guidelights, markers, and
search-lights, but there was no necessity for so much light with the
channel before him along which he could taxi unerringly, until, arriving
at the point where the great gulf stretched out toward the western
horizon, the speed must be advanced for the take-off.

Now they were free from the mangroves and Jack accelerated the pace of
h