The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-05-13
Nv AERIAL RUNAWAY
By W. p. and C.. p Chibman.
COPYRIGHT 1901. Lothrop Publishing Company
CHAPTER XIV.
A Home in the WjldS

AS Todd lay there helpless staring with fascinated
eyes at the hideous reptile which coed itself upon
his breast he not ignorant of the grave danger he
was in Yet he, with admirable sefcontro did not STIR
Possibly if he remained motioness the reptile would
cease to look upon him enemy and, having made
the threat would then unco itself and glide away with
out striking. Todd quite somewhere
that the rattlesnake, in critical moment could be
prevented from giving its fatal blow by keeping perfectly
quiet Anyway, he would try the ruse
ing safely do So with his own eyes staring
into the snakes gtterng OPTICS and without the culver
Suddenly there came swift, whirrng sound and
almost before the bewldered lad had time to think the
snake was knocked from its position his breast and
went flying thru the air for distance of several feet
moment later Admaxla swiftly by him, and reaching
the serpent lust after it struck the ground quickly dis,
the tree trunk from off his feet and assisted him RISE
inquiring anxiously:
care you hurt, ToddG Did the snake strike youq'
Ono; thanks to you I'm safe' was the response
Todd shook himself to make sure he all right Chow
did you do it, old chaps"
''See - the native answered. leading the way to
where the dead rattlesnake lay Bending the hor
rid form, Todd that had transfxed the
head and was now protruding several inches both
sides.
IT shot him with my bow" Admaxla explained,
force of the blow sufficient to carry the snake clear
off body and its suddenness prevented the reptile
from strikng''
But how did you happen to my danger?'' Todd
quered. 81 thought left you at the camp
$50 you did, was the reply; but only stopped to
had noticed several birds in the trees just beyond here
and thought I might kill one for supper was only
coil itself your breast. But knew would
time to reach you before it struck and did the only
bre saXe S
rade, impusvey; "and can't begin to tell you how
much thank you for saving my life But it close
shave wasn't it9 and he shook the native boys hand
vigorously
reached the spot and exctedy nquiring what had
happened For time the party discussed the affair;
then they returned to the camp fire. Todd and Admaxa
between them the dead tree trunk first making
sure however, that no other venomous reptile lurk
ing within it.
The supper which the professor and Rod had pre-
pared reshed by ALL and tie little band, with
the exception of Todd who stood the first watch
wrapped in slumber
For several days the castaways journeyed on meet
ing with serious difficulty by the way and after five
days found themselves the verge of immense plain.
The forest still remained dense both sides
and the underground, tho it sprang from richer SOIL
became ranker and more luxuriant.
cts going to be hard job to make way thru
that stuff, the manufacturer remarked as he caught
sight of the great plain and its seemingly mpenetrable
thickets.
stWe shall not attempt it, the aeronaut replied
quietly cit is time to prepare ourselves for voy
down the river and there just the place want
for permanent camp
AS he spoke he pointed to open space of consider
able size little to their left The ground soped gently
from the rivers bank for distance of three four
at its center little spring dubbed up, and forming
tiny rill ran to join the larger stream below.
''Ah! better place could be selected the pro-
fessor continued with evident satisfaction the little
cavalcade filed down into the clearing Here are water
air, sunshine, drainage everything to make this
healthy dwelingpace there at the brink of the stream
is ideal location for shpyard, while about
the very trees shall need Here then will stop.
For tonight will make usual brush hut; but to-
will fix things for long stay-until
constructed sort Of craft to carry it surely
WILL down this river to the habitations of man.
The preparations for the night quickly made,
and all quiet in the clearing At early hour
in the morning however the professor aroused his
panons and while eating breakfast consultation was
held The discussion opened by the aeronaut himself
who said:
I'VE shall, in my Judgment, have to remain here for
two three weeks, and may well make ourselves
comfortable at possible So first should
erect substantial shelter than has been
tom, where stops for the night only. This will
probably take couple of days Then we can
turn attention to the construction of craft
kind large enough to carry all down the river; and
also to the replenishing of our larder.''
What kind of a boat will you make, professor?''