Boy Scouts in an Airship | Page 5

in New Orleans until Thursday morning, August 10,
and then, with full provision baskets and gasoline tanks, they set out
across the Gulf of Mexico. They soon sighted Yucatan, which is really
a province of Mexico, darted over British Honduras, and swung over
the forests of Guatemala, the one country in Central America which is
never bothered with revolutions.
When an ambitious person wants to wrest the reins of government from
the officials in charge, they take him out and stand him up against a
stone wall, with a firing squad in front. This manner of preventing
revolutions is believed to be conducive to peace and also to the sanctity
of human lives. Jimmie, who had been reading up on South and Central
America while waiting in San Francisco, explained many points of
interest as the Nelson sped on her way.
They took on more gasoline at Panama, and Ned and Jimmie were very
glad to renew their acquaintance with that now model city. Those who
have read the former books of this series will remember that the Boy
Scouts at one time had a commission to stand guard over the great
Gatun dam.
They did not remain long in Panama, however, as they were anxious to
get to the scene of their future operations. They were all anticipating
great fun in exploring "the roof of the world," which extends from
Colombia to Argentina, north and south, through Equator, Peru, and
Bolivia, more than 2,000 miles, or as far as from New York City to
Denver. In many directions from this "roof" may be seen villages, cattle,
sheep, llamas, and evidences of mining.
The boys made good progress down the coast of tropical South

America. They had heard much of Peru, and were surprised to see only
a great strip of sand, lying like a desert, between the Pacific and the
mountains. Now and then a little stream, fed by the melting snows in
the Andes, comes trailing out toward the sea, but it is usually smaller at
its mouth than at its source for the reason that the precious water is
utilized for irrigation purposes. Wherever there is water crops grow
luxuriantly.
Thus far they had not been molested in any way. Indeed, considering
the speed with which they had traveled, it would have been difficult for
any one to have meddled with their plans. They were therefore in
excellent spirits when they landed at Lima, which is the one large city
of the country.
Lima, however, is not built on the coast, Callao being the seaport of the
metropolis. Lima is a modern city in every way, with, handsome streets,
electric lights, and all that any modern city has in the way of
amusements.
The Nelson was anchored on the morning of August 14, in a
sequestered spot, and the boys, after answering many foolish questions,
laid plans to look over the wonderful city. It was necessary to station a
strong guard about the machine, for the natives--many of whom spoke
the English language fairly well--were overly curious concerning the
man-made bird.
In answer to all questions as to their plans, the lads replied that they
were seeking the headwaters of the Amazon, and would soon pass over
the Andes and drift down into Brazil. This was not far from the actual
truth, as it really was the Intention to return home by that route after
their mission had been accomplished.
"But the wind is always from the east," was often urged against this
plan, as explained by Jimmie, who lingered about the Nelson while the
others were at the hotel.
When it was explained to the doubters that the Nelson was capable of
making a hundred miles an hour against a stiff breeze, the natives

seemed to doubt the veracity of the boys. The Peruvians knew little of
airships, and when Jimmie exhibited to them daily newspapers showing
how Germany was building a fleet of three hundred airships to use in
case of war, they still looked incredulous.
"Look here, fellers," Jimmie explained to them, later in the afternoon of
the arrival, as a group of curious ones stood about the roped-in
enclosure where the Nelson lay, "I guess you don't know much about
the navigation of the air. It used to be risky; now it is no more so than
riding on a railroad train."
"You say it well!"
The words were spoken in good English, seemingly in a boy's voice,
and Jimmie peered through his audience in order to catch a glimpse of
the speaker. Presently, above the heads which surrounded him, the boy
saw a hand and arm extended. The palm was out, the thumb and little
finger flat and crossed, the three remaining fingers held straight out.
The full salute of the Boy Scouts.
"Say,