ht appeared to be immense birds. But it was the
young sky cruisers nearing their destination.

On the porch Mr. Parker stood up and waved his newspaper. Ten minutes
later the aeroplanes came to earth in the smooth front lawn, while Uncle
Jupe restrained a strong inclination to run away.

"Dey ain't canny, dem things," he declared; "ef de Lord had wanted us to
fly he'd have given us wings, I guess.

"Yes, sir, he'd sure have given us wings des de same as angels hev," he
repeated musingly.

CHAPTER XXIII.

THE MOONSHINERS AND THE AEROPLANE.

"This is a beautiful country, sis."

"Yes, indeed," agreed Peggy warmly.

The two were flying high above the romantic scenery of the Big Smoke
Mountains of North Carolina in the _Golden Butterfly_. Beneath them lay
a wild-looking expanse of country,--peaks, deep canons and cliffs
heavily wooded and here and there bare patches cropping out.

"Let's drop down on one of those patches and do some exploring,"
suggested Peggy.

"All right," agreed Roy, nothing loath. The _Golden Butterfly_ was
headed downward.

In a few minutes they landed on a smooth spot surrounded by trees.
Leaving the aeroplane, they struck off on a path through the woods.
"Wonder if we can't find some huckleberries hereabouts," suggested Roy.

"Oh, yes, lots. Wouldn't it be dandy to take home a bucketful by
aeroplane!"

"There's a little hut off yonder, maybe we could get a bucket or
something there."

"Let's see if there are any berries first," said the practical Peggy.

From out of the hut shuffled an old woman. She was a wrinkled and
hideous old hag, brown as a seasoned meerschaum pipe and in her mouth
was a reeking corn cob.

Her feet were bare, and altogether she was a most repulsive old crone.
She saw Roy and Peggy almost as soon as they saw her. For an instant she
stood looking at them and then raised her voice in a sort of shrill
shriek.

Instantly from the woods around several men appeared--wild-looking,
bearded fellows, each of whom carried a rifle.

"What you alls want hyar?" demanded one who seemed to be the leader.

"We were just taking a walk," explained Roy.

"Wa'al, we all don't like strangers particlar."

"So it would seem," rejoined Roy, with a bold voice, although his heart
was beating rather fast.

"How'd you alls get hyar?" was the next question from the inquisitor.

"We flew here," rejoined Roy truthfully.

But the man's face grew black with wrath.

"Don'