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{{frabfp093.png}} || eagles of the sky ||

added to the stock of knowledge Jack already
possessed so that it was a mutual affair after all.

"I rather reckon somebody's going to get a
surprise packet when I finish explaining just how
this contraband sloop and cargo fell into our
hands," Jack was saying at one time, apparently
vastly amused himself. "Fact is, I wouldn't
blame the Commissioner for believing I was
drawing the long bow when he hears about those
tear-bombs you tossed out that scattered the
crowd like I've heard you tell a shell used to do
when it dropped into a dugout over in the Argonne."

As they lay there taking things easy, the
heavens in the east assumed a most wonderful
range of various delicate tints that made even
Perk gasp with admiration. Birds started singing,
mocking birds and cardinals among others,
crows could be heard cawing close by as though
there might be a hidden bird roost not far distant.
This was corroborated later on when
streams of white egrets flew past, scattering to
find their morning meal.

So, too, circling buzzards could be seen far
above as they searched for signs of a feast in the
shape of a dead fish cast ashore on some sandbar
or mudbank--a heavy plunge not far away told
of a monster alligator that had been lying asleep
on some log, taking a dive as he noticed the pres-

[[93]]

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