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{{frabfp084.png}} || eagles of the sky ||

my gettin' there with both feet if the bally motor
only holds together. Don't like its looks any too
ocr>   much, but then Lady Luck seems to be givin*
fix>   much, but then Lady Luck seems to be givin'
us a heap o' favors, so we're goin' to finish after
ocr>   the Garrison style--heavy on the home stretch.'*
fix>   the Garrison style--heavy on the home stretch."

ocr>   Before Perk reached the last word his churn
fix>   Before Perk reached the last word his chum
had gained his seat in the cubbyhole of the
amphibian, and almost immediately called out:

ocr>   "Cut that rope and let me get away, partner--_??_
fix>   "Cut that rope and let me get away, partner--hurry
ocr>   hurry up before I get another and harder
fix>   up before I get another and harder
bump!"

Ten seconds afterward the airship was entirely
free from contact with the drifting sloop. Then
came the roar of the motor showing that Jack
had given her the gun. Instantly there was a
forward movement of the amphibian, which increased
rapidly until it was rushing along with
great speed presently lifting its nose toward the
heavens and leaving the rolling surface of the
gulf, soared aloft in repeated circles.

Perk, after seeing that his pal was well on his
way, turned his attention to his own job. He had
no particular trouble in coaxing the engine to
start, although it did considerable "grunting"
as though its joints might be rusty and in need of
lubricating oil, thus telling that the late skipper
had allowed his engineer to neglect his duties in
a climate where the salt in the air always rusted
the inside of gun barrels, machinery of all

[[84]]

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