When they were at the mouth of the tunnel they turned and looked
back. The Nelson was lifting from the valley where the fire had
been seen, whirling up, up into the night sky. They could not
determine from where they stood whether there were two or one on the
big aeroplane. They had no means of knowing whether Ned had
succeeded or failed.
The two watched the dim bulk of the aeroplane as it winged over
their heads. Now and then, after it was too late to do her any
harm, a few vengeful shots were fired at her. The fact that Ned
kept going convinced them that he had picked up Lyman and was on the
way out with him.
After the aeroplane had disappeared from sight Jackson and Jimmie
hurried on through the dark tunnel, which, as has been said, was
merely the dry channel of a stream which had cut its way out of the
valley years before. Jimmie proposed that they remain there all
night, but Jackson objected to this.
Their pursuers knew that he knew of the tunnel, he explained, in
support of his objection, as they were aware that he had entered the
valley by that route, so they would naturally look there for them.
This was convincing, of course, and the two hastened on their way,
lighted by the little searchlight. For a long time there were no
indications of pursuit, then a popping roar came beating down the
passage.
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