Page:Wonder Stories Quarterly Volume 2 Number 2 (Winter 1931).djvu/137



"Well, in that case," answered Franklin, "we are in for lots of trouble. We shall have to bolt for our safety-ledge. That is why I propose to draw them up the river so that, if we cannot start the engines, we can dash down stream and cut across through that break in the jungle to the other side of the loop, instead of going around, to avoid being cut off. That is the chance we shall have to take."

"And what if in a forced flight through that jungle avenue we should happen to run into a number of the ape-men who may be returning just then from some hunt—and that howling horde at our heels?"

"Then we shall have to shoot our way through the best we can," replied the other.

So it was decided.

A few hours later, with the afternoon far advanced, the three had forded the river below the cliff-dwellings of the horde; and after skirting the jungle edge on the opposite side of the river, recrossed out of sight around the bend over the upper ford. A short distance farther, where the bluffs gave way to the jungle, the aviators entered the forest growth and tied the alarm clock well up in a tree. After timing the alarm so it would ring in an hour, they repaired to the other side of the river just below the horde. The alarm was of the intermittent type and could ring repeatedly for a long time at frequent intervals; it also had an automatic shut-off that silenced it for about fifteen minutes, before it began another series of intermittent ringings.

Taking their station near the lower ford across the river opposite the dwelling-place of the savage horde, yet keeping within observing distance, the three men waited for the alarm to go off, their hearts thumping with excitement. Would it work?

Presently, through the stillness of the jungle there came the clear sound of the clamorous bell. The effect on the ape-men was startling. Every one, male and female, old and young, stopped in their tracks and listened intently. Then silence. Again the insistent ringing, loud and clear. Every one of the creatures stopped again with profound attention, exchanging questioning glances and looking plaintively at one another, plainly puzzled by the strange sound, totally new to their ears. As the ringing kept on and off, it seemed to get on their nerves, fear and curiosity seeming to struggle for mastery. Some of the braver ones began moving slowly in the direction of the sound with slow, hesitating steps, the more timid ones taking to the safety of their ledges.

Most of the horde, however, remained where they were, evidently puzzled and undecided. After about five minutes, the intermittent ringing ceased. Gradually the ape-men calmed down, the more venturesome who had moved up a ways to investigate, decided to return; and presently the entire horde seemed to forget the strange luring sound which had so disturbed them.

The watching aviators were dreadfully disappointed. It had failed to work! What then? They exchanged rueful glances without saying a word.

Fifteen minutes later, the clamorous bell began once more. As it continued on and off, curiosity finally got the better of the ape-men. Gradually, singly and in groups, the entire horde moved up the river to investigate the source of the mysterious sound. Even the ape-children followed; and soon only two or three very senile males and a few females were the only ones who stayed behind, and even they walked up to the farthest end of the abiding-place.

As the horde of ape-men disappeared around the bend, the aviators ran to the nearby ford and over the narrow river crossing. Running swiftly to the machine, they soon found that, although it was battered and mauled, the engine, the wings and other vital parts had suffered no serious harm.

The sharp eyes of the few females and old males who remained behind soon saw them, and these laggards gave the alarm with shrill cries.

Swiftly and methodically the aviators worked; the propellers began to spin; and through the primeval setting there sounded the mighty blast of the three powerful engines.

Soon the returning horde was coming back on the run, brandishing their clubs and yelling with loud, blood-curdling cries. The foremost were now but a short distance away, running toward them with great leaping strides. The Golden Gate faced in the direction of the fast approaching ape-men, and with the three men safely inside, it began moving forward.

As Captain Franklin gave her the gun, the great plane bumped swiftly along, its great engines roaring; and with a final blast it rose into the air just above the foremost ape-men. Rocks and stones flew up in a shower, the apes' savage cries drowned out by the engines. The fugitives were off, and soon the strange scene below them was out of sight.

Twelve hours later, three tired aviators, weary, haggard but happy, circled over Sydney, Australia, their great conquering flight completed.