Jack
afterwards declared that Ned slept half the time!
Had the first decision, to run to the twin valleys as swiftly as
possible, been held to, the two prisoners, guarded on that eastern
slope, would have seen the Nelson coming toward their relief.
At the same time, on landing, Ned and his companions would have been
confronted with armed Indians demanding immediate surrender. This
would not have been according to the notions of the boys on the
aeroplane, as they had figured that Jimmie and Jackson would be able
to keep out of the hands of the Collins gang.
The 23d dawned slowly, with the Nelson loitering over the great
brown and green map of South America and the boys tiring their eyes
looking for the glistening planes of the aeroplane. The captives
were provided with food, but it was decidedly cold on the
mountainside when night came.
All that day and all that night the guards lay in wait in
sequestered places, waiting for the Nelson. Although his only hope
of immediate rescue lay in the arrival of the Nelson, Jimmie wished
every minute of the time that Ned would in some manner be warned
away from that dangerous locality.
Just before dawn of the 24th Jimmie, who had fallen into a light
slumber, felt Jackson pulling at his arm.
"Wake up!" the man whispered.
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