Frank Reade Library No. 73: Six Weeks in the Clouds — page 7: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

SIX WEEKS IN THE CLOUDS. ‘¢ Perhaps we will be more apt to see the balloon. below the clouds, while we are right, in them.” This thought seemed to impress Mr. Warden at once. He inclined his head, saying: ‘¢ I believe you are right, Mr. Reade. Let us try it.” Accordingly Frank cried to Barney, who was in the pilot-house: ‘¢ Lower the air-ship. We are going down to the earth.” “All roight, sor!” And with this Barney reversed the rotascope lever. The ship began very rapidly to sink. Down, down she went through the clinging mass of clouds. Then suddenly the earth burst into view a mighty distance below. It seemed to be drawing nearer to the air-ship with great strides. When within a thousand feeL Barney checked the descent. A strange scene was spread to view below. Mighty forests extended over mountains far to the northward. atime Frank looked in vain for a sign of human habitation. Then he spied a number of log shanties upon the shore of a lake. It was a border settlement in the far northwest. Frank determined to descend and make the acquaintance of the in- habitants. He had no doubt but that he corld learn from them news of the lost balloon if it had come that way. Down settled the air-ship. Frank decided to make a landing right in the clearing by the lake. suddenly Warden cried: ** Look! <A canoe!” A light canoe containing flings men was seen making its way rap: idly across the Jake. The occupants were dressed in the style of the border trapper, and they seemed much excited at sight of the air-ghip. ‘“« They see us!” cried Warden. ‘No doubt they are surprised!” ‘* Very likely!’ agreed Frauk. ‘* And that is not a matter of much wonderment.” ‘* Certainly not.” Now it could be seen that men to the number of a@ score had come out of the log cabins. They were regarding the air-ship in apparent amazement. ‘Ts it prudent to land without a parley?” asked Warden, ‘‘ they might not be friendly.” ‘* We will trust to luck!” declared Frank, ‘‘ they are white men like ourselves.” So the air-ship rested upon the ground not a hucdred yards from the cabins. Frank walked boldly out on deck. ‘‘ Hello!” he shouted. ** Hello, thar!’ came back. ‘“What settlement is that?” ‘¢ This is Fort Mooge; a branch of the Hudson’s Bay Fur Company. But who in tarnation ar’ yew?” ‘Tam Frank Reade, Jr., and this is my air-ship!” replied Frank. “Thunder an’ guns! did yew make that masheen yerself?” ‘« T designed it.” ‘* Wall, that beats all. Whar ar ye from?” ‘* From Readestown, U.S. A.” ‘In course we mought hev knowed that it was all a Yankee trick. Wall, yer welcome tew Fort Moose. Cum in an’ hev a pint or two of rum an’ molasses!” Warden looked at Frank and they laughed heartily. ‘Td advise you not to go, Frank!” said Warden, jestingly. much of a good thing would never do.” “7 never drink!” said Frank. ‘‘ So Iam safe!” ‘* Yez might send me!” said Barney, innocently. Bui Pomp gave a loud cough. ‘© Yo’ don’ want fo’ to do nuftin’ ob de kin’, Marse Frauk!” ‘+ Phwat’s that ye say?” exclaimed Barney, turning angrily upon his compatriot. ‘I’m a blue ribbon timperance man mesilf.” ‘¢ Well, I don’t think I'll trust either one of you!” said Frank, with a laugh. ‘ Vil go myself!” ‘“* And may I not 20 with you?” asked Warden. ‘¢ Certainly, Barney and Pomp, keep good watch of the ship!” But there was no need of this admonition. The two .jokers, were always on hand ir case of responsibility. So Frank and Warden left the air-ship and walked over to the cab- in. The Hudson’s Bay men were all great strapping fellows inured to the hardship’s of the wilderness. They lived here in this wild place all alone, there being not a wom- an in the camp. The tallest and stoutest of them,, apparent! y the leader, advanced and Offered Frank his hand. ‘“ Vm Bill Wimans!” he said. durned welcome, strangers!” ‘*Well, lam glad to make your acquaintance,” said Frank. Then conversation upon light topics followed for some while. “Oh, yes, we enjoy this kind of livin'!’ declared big Bill Wimans. “Jt wud go hard with yew city chaps.” os | suppose you secure a good many fine furs?” ‘Tn the winter time, yas!” With which Wimanga led them into the main building. were hundreds of beautiful pelts. ‘*We’ve hed uncommon good luck this year!” declared big Bill. ‘‘Game hes run well. I reckon we've a fortune here in furs.” ‘“‘T should say you had.” She may bang For «6 So ‘¢T reckon I’m boss of ther fort, ver Here there rrr rrr rr rr a cS ‘* Now, thar’s a big grizzly skin. Thet feller killed one of our men while we wuz gittin’ him.” ‘*Whew!” declared Warden. alone!” ‘*Ah, but yew see some big lord in London will pay one hundred pounds for that pelt, fora door mat. I reckon ther man’s neck warn’t wurth half thet.” At which witty remark, big Bill haw-hawed, and Frank and Warden for the saxe of courtesy were forced to join in. But Frank now approached the subject of his visit. — —_—_ —_— CHAPTER VI. EXPERIENCES WITH THE FUR HUNTERS. ‘“‘T cAN'T say that | would want to join your gang,” he said. the way, friend Wimans?” “6 Wall?” «Ig this air-ship of ours the first one you’ve ever seen?” Wimans stared at Frank. Then a light broke across his rough face. ‘‘ l’ve seen a balloon,” he replied. Warden gave a gasping cry. ‘* For God’s sake, when and where did you see it?” he asked. Wimans looked at Warden in estonishment. Then he coully ejected a quid of tobacco and replied: ‘Not more’n tew days ago.” Warden almost screamed: ‘““Where? Tell me!” ‘Where?’ exclaimed Wimans, ‘I say, stranger, air yew lookin’ fer that balloon?” “Yes,” replied Frank. Wimans took Frank by the arm, ‘*Come hyar,.” He led him to the door of the cabin. Then he pointed to the northwest. ‘‘ Up over thet peak!’ he said, ‘‘I seen a balloon, an’ it hung thar for six hours. Some of our boys set out tew climb the peak, but ther fust thing we knew ther cussed thing sailed away.” ‘*T told you so!” cried Warden, triumphantly to Frank, “And in what direction did it go?” Wimans pointed to the west. Frank grasped his hand. ‘¢ My friend!” hecried. ‘‘ You have done usa great favor. shall not forget it.” Then he turned to Warden. “That settles it. The balloon shall be found.” Both set out for the air-snip. But big Wimans shouted: ‘¢ Hello, thar, friends! [ don’t call this air a fair shake!” Frank saw the point. He turned and marched back. ‘* We have no intention of forgetting our indebtedness to you!” he said. ‘‘ Come with us!” And he led the big trapper straight to the air-ship. On board they went, and Frank gave Pomp a key. ‘“Go to the locker and bring out the choicest old Burgundy,” he said. ‘' Be seated, Mr. Wimans. By the way, won't your friends partake too?” ‘‘ Wall, I like this,” said the big trapper, looking approviugly about the air-ship. Then he arose and shouted: ‘* Come, pards! This is ther Tenderfoot’s treat.” As the rough crew piled aboard the air-ship Frank saw his mistake, and instantly repented his hospitality. Of course he had accepted their ag honest men, and yet, for aught he knew, they might be cut-throats. It was evident that the same thought was in Warden’s mind, for he exchanged glances with Frank. Barney and Pomp also looked askance at the rough hunters. At an opportune moment Warden said to Fraok: ‘*T don’t know but that we are taking a great risk. think?” ‘‘T am afraid so,” agreed Frank. ‘Can we handle such a crew?” ““ 7 think so ” The Burgundy was brought and tendered to the hunters. It was choice wine, but in their rough throats, accustomed to old rum, 1t was little better than cold water. ‘* That’s good stuff fer women,” grumbled Wimans, ‘‘ but I Kain’t say as it fits a man’s gullet.” ‘‘Let’s have some rum,” rejoined one of the gang. Wimans arose and sauntered toward the pilot-house. His keen gaze took in everything about the air-ship. Suddenly he paused and whipped a brace of revolvers from his belt. With a voice of thunder he roared: ‘* Hands up, every condemned Yankee of ye! Frank Reade, Jr., turned in amazement. “ What’s that?’he exclaimed. *¢ Surrender!” “* What for?” ‘‘ Fer instance “ You're joking.” ‘* |’m in dead earnest.” ‘* But what right have you to treat usin this manner?” exclaimeu Frank, angrily. “The right of English law!” shouted the ruffian. ‘‘T should want to let those chaps We What do you *¢ It is well to be on our guard” Surrender!” Ain’t thet enough?’ ‘Which says T Cconniclooolkks (CO)