The Boy Aviators in Africa; Or, an Aerial Ivory Trail

arry, ca

hat cartridge box

going to Africa or are we

right as a reporter, but as a shipping clerk

10- One waterproof tent, one rubber-blanket, tent-pegs, ropes, more ropes.-Say, Frank, wh

named William Barnes when he gets

nd a notebook from which he called out the inventory of the articles piled about him as his brother, a youth of fourteen, sorted them out. The third member of the trio was a short, stocky chap of possibly seventeen, with sharp, blue eyes

well set-up lad who was so industriously calling off the equipment that lay scattered about was Frank Chester, and the ready classifier of the mixed-up outfit was Harry, his younger brother. The third member of the group was Billy Barnes, the young reporter, already down to us as the chronicler of

plied them with ample funds for their trip. As for Billy Barnes (or "Our Special Staff Correspondent, William Barnes," as he was now known), besides the sum realized from the sale of

together as good an outfit as was procurable-they were putting what Billy called "the finishing touches" on their accoutrements. Stacked in corners of the room were big chests painted blue and marked with

e smaller boxes also were packed yards and yards of bright-colored cloth and calico, spangles, cheap jewelry and brass ornaments for use among the natives. In making up their outfit the boys had taken the advice of a well-known African traveler who

u pick a quarrel with a native," had been his simply laid-down rules for getting

quizzically as Harry sorted out and Frank read off ceaselessly the apparently interm

hat hunters who go into the bush depending on their rifles

xty-mile aeroplane like the Golden Eagle II we can

e," assented Harry, "but how mu

will help out our supply materially. A few of these tablets dissolved in gasoline render the efficiency of one ordinary gal

gallon we carry being of tri

e boys worked on and the equipment, as it was classified, was packed away in the cases assigned to each class of articles, there came a sharp knock at the door

handing the missive to his br

it and read

ANK AND

ll details when you see us. Will you call at the Waldorf at ten-thirty and have breakfast? We can discuss the matter over the meal. All I can say now is that if the Golden Eagle is still in shape for her old-time

hen, till

ROP E

ing up for a nice little holiday trip to rest our shattered nerves, and he

curious," repli

Luther Barr? I have heard the

s an ivory importe

the resourceful Billy.

e to him from its hook

phantly down the "B" list. "Barr, Luther-that's our man, eh?

live," exclaimed Harry. "That's where he fir

o be a good partn

ose for news and if there isn't some sort of a story back of Mr.

generous offer was interrupted by a s

dollar!" the boys heard

s all I'll pay. I'll be horn-swoggled if you get a cent mo

strangely familiar but the

oys simultaneously and rushed

," arguing loudly with a taxicab chauffeur. The man was obdurate over his fare and just at, the boys came on the s

settle our disput

d Frank, giving the angry man on th

ng when suddenly he dropped the battered bag he carried

till the boy's arms were almost dislocated. "And you too, Harry, and keel haul m

e Boy Aviators?" suddenly cut in

replied Fr

n I'll let your friend off with fift

ich registered $1.00 back to the fifty cent mark an

azed old adventurer, as the taxi whizzed off befo

ap reads the papers and thought it wouldn't do him any go

roduced to Mrs. Chester, a sweet-faced old lady, and Mr. Chester, a fine-looking, gray-h

and then in a few words he describe

der had finished. "Down in Florida when he wasn't tumbling into alligators' mouths or getting bit

vory importer, could have to discuss that would be of interest to them, but they were able to a

become quite familiar. Ever since they had rescued the rugged old adventurer from a marooned treasure-mine in Nicaragua and he had shared their strange adventures in Florida on the Chapin Rescue Expedition, the old man had become as much a part of their necessary

e as a boy and almost as impatient for the start for the Dark Continent. Ben slept at the Chester's home that night and if his dreams were not as populated with v