Jerry of the circus
wildly
The.
that field. And if we saw it, he did. His eyes are trained for seeing those things.
Boy, that gas here smells strong. Hey, look, Jerry, he's heading for it. We're
gonna make it. Raise yourself as much as you can and hold on tight. Okay, don't you
worry about us. We'll be okay, Jim. Say, this is plenty exciting. We're certainly
getting our money's worth. Hold on. Here we go.
Gee, whoopsie. It's like a roller coaster.
Oh boy, that's your riding them. You okay, Bum? I'm not sure. I'll know in a minute.
That was a pretty narrow escape. You all right? Sure. Say, I wouldn't have missed this
for anything. What happened? The gas line broke. Didn't you smell the gasoline?
I'll say we did. That's a dangerous thing to have happen, isn't it? I'll say. Why I
had to stop the engine. The spark had gone. We'd have exploded in midair. Lucky you
found a place to land. You're made a rough landing field. Say, how are we gonna get
back? That's what I'm wondering. I can pick up the gas line in a jiffy, but I'm not
sure there's enough gas left to take it back. But we gotta meet that passenger
plane that's coming in, don't we, Bum? Well, we'd like to, of course, but the main
thing is to get back to the circus in time for the show tonight. Good night. You
don't think there's any danger of our getting stranded out here, do you? I hope
not. I better take a look and see how much gas is left in the tank. Looks like
we're in the middle of nowhere. There's not a house in sight or a highway. I wonder
where we are anyhow. Near Tiger Lake, if that helps any. Say, Jim, are there any
roads near here? I'm afraid not. Main highway comes in on the other side of the
lake. This part of the lake never has been built up. What about the gas, Jim?
Enough to take us back? It's pretty low. Well, there ought to be enough to take us in, but
it'd be a little risky to try it. Any idea how far we'd have to walk to get
help? No, I haven't. We might wander around for a couple hours before we could find
anyone with a car or phone. Say, we just got to get back for the show tonight. I'm
certainly sorry. Oh, we know it's not your fault. These things will happen, you know.
The only thing is to figure some way to, say, listen, if we were lucky enough to
find a car or be able to send for one, how far is it back to town? At least 25
miles. I thought you said Tiger Lake was only 10 miles from the airport. Sure, as
the crow flies. But that lake is three miles across over a bad dirt road that
winds in and out for miles. Three miles? Aha, I got you there, Bumps. You bet it was
less than two miles across. Looks like I get your dessert at dinner tonight. That
is if we get any dinner. Gee, you're right. I forgot for a minute. Looks like we're in
a bad spot, Jim. Yes, I'm afraid so. Are you willing to try to make the airport,
that is, if you can fix up the gas line all right? Oh, sure. For the gas line, I
can fix that in no time. Okay, you do that, Jim, and we'll go with you. You will? Sure.
Well, I don't think there's any real danger, but I never like to take a risk when I'm
carrying passengers. Listen, circus folks are used to taking risks. Well, if you two
feel like that, I'll get right to work on this faulted gas line. Hey, can I help? No,
thanks. And I'll tell you what, I'm certain we get back across Tiger Lake. If
worse comes to worse, I'll find some place to land near the highway, so you'll be
sure of getting back to the show by tonight anyway. Yeah, that's the ticket. I knew we'd get
out of this somehow. Yeah, and we might get back in time for dinner and the extra
dessert too. Luckily, this is an easy job. The gas holds up to get back in time to meet that passenger
plane. I sure hope so. Hey, how much time we got yet, boss? Let's see, about 20 minutes.
Hmm, Jimmy, this is sure exciting. It's lots more fun than just a safe 15 minutes
ride to the lake and back. The more difficult it is Jerry gets into, the better he likes it.
Sure, even if it is kind of scary at the time. It's fun. Of course, if things come
out right. Gives you something to talk about for the rest of your life, huh, Jerry? Yeah, I guess so.
Well, folks, that's that. You mean she's ready to go? Sure. So, does it only take a second?
Sure you both want to risk it? Oh, positive. Of course, and if it weren't that we're gonna meet
Spike, he's a friend of ours. I wouldn't mind much if we had to come down alongside the highway.
Well, I must say you're a glutton for punishment. Well, you better hop in.
All right. We're gonna meet that plane, we better get started. Okay, we're ready. Now, I warn you,
when we taxi off, it's gonna be pretty rough going, so hold on tight. It can't be much worse than it was
coming in. I hope not. All right, ready? Okay. I'm ready. Here she goes.
Oh, we're off. Boy, that's better. That's one thing, the airways are always smooth.
Indeed they're not. Say, listen, Jerry, in bad weather, the airplanes knock around worse than ships in the storm at sea.
Honest? Yeah, of course. But how? Well, the air is filled with all kinds of strange currents and energies.
Oh, of course. Funny, I guess I never thought much about it. And then when a plane hits what they call an air pocket,
well, those are the things that cause rough airplane saving. Yet, air is a very complex thing, all right.
Look how it transmits wireless and radio messages. Boy, you're right. I guess there's more of this air business than I realized.
See, Bump, seems like we're going pretty fast. Yeah, I hope you're right. It's almost time for that other plane to be too.
I wonder about how far we... Say, we're going to make it after all. That Jim's certainly making good time.
Can't even see Tiger Lake anymore, Jerry. And don't forget, you lost a bet. I get you dessert tonight, Bump.
Ah, boy, I hope it's fine. Oh, okay. You won, fair enough. It's certainly hard to judge the size of a thing way up here.
Hey, look at that down. Looks just like a map, doesn't it? Yeah, yeah. Oh, and there comes the circus.
You'd think the town was moving instead of us, wouldn't you? I wonder how the gas is holding out.
Must be okay. Jim with a stop back there in the outskirts. Oh, here's the airport now. See, we're heading down.
Gee, Bump, look. There's a plane landing now. Yeah, yeah. Big one, too. I guess that's the one we're interested in, Jerry.
Spike will sure be surprised to find we've been up in the air, too, won't he? Yeah, I didn't say we were going to meet Spike.
No, you didn't have to, I guess. That's what you think. Well, here we go. We're landing.
Oh, that's something. Not a bump. That was a swell landing.
Well, folks, how'd you like the trip? Grand. Well, now, you'll excuse us, won't you, Jim?
We don't want to miss our friend. He should be on that plane that came in right ahead of us. Sure thing. Run along.
I'll meet you in front of the office. Bumps? He bumps. I don't see Spike.
Well, there are all the people that got off. You see, they're just going through that gate now.
Oh, I'll bet he couldn't make it at the last minute. Yeah, just a minute. Just a minute now, Jerry.
Hey, see, see that man over there? The one that's looking around as if he's expecting to find someone?
It isn't. Oh, Bumps, it's Uncle Dan. Uncle Dan? Hey, Uncle Dan. Oh, so you were surprised after all.
Hey, hey, Dan. Here we are over here. Uncle Dan. Uncle Dan. Bumps.
Well, so you did come down to meet me after all. Oh, Uncle Dan, gee, I didn't know you were coming.
Thought you could keep your uncle in a hospital all summer. Oh, I'm sorry.
But I had no idea you were well enough yet. Oh, gee, I'm sure glad to see you.
Well, Dan, you're looking fine. And fit as a fiddle.
I tell you, Bumps, it won't be long before I'll be my old self again
and be ready to head for the jungles on another expedition.
Jiminy Willikers. And I was so sure I knew who was coming.
I got to hand it to you, Bumps, for keeping up the secret.
Well, what do you think of me for a surprise? I tell you, it's the grandest surprise I ever had.
Well, Dan, I guess we'd better be heading for the circus. Oh, oh, yes, we should.
Well, Dan, I guess we'd better be heading for the circus. Oh, oh, you got your bags?
Porter took them up ahead. Say, how come you folks were out here on the field?
I was looking all over for you over here.
Gee, we haven't had time to tell you. Bumps and I had been up in a plane.
No. Well, now that's exciting. You haven't heard half of it yet.
We had an accident. What?
Yeah. Didn't we, Bumps?
Well, a lucky accident, if you could call it that. The gas line broke.
And we had to make the force landing in the rockiest field you ever saw.
Yeah, fortunately, we had a competent pilot.
You weren't so sure whether there'd be enough gas to get back you're on, but there was.
Not so fast. I never saw anyone so excited.
Say, who wouldn't be? What, with an airplane ride and an accident
and an uncle popping up all in one day?
I'm pretty well keyed up myself, Dan.
Now, now then, what about you? Business of being an hour late. What happened?
Well, I can't be outdone. It's been an exciting day for us, too.
You see, when we hit those mountains back there, there were some electrical storms.
You mean thunder and lightning?
Yes, siree. And I tell you, Jerry, you want to get right up into all that lightning
to really appreciate it.
Say, that must have been dangerous.
Well, I suppose it was. But it was so beautiful, with all those black clouds flying around
and then those huge streaks of lightning, as if the whole world were cracking open.
Was the thunder louder up there?
The funny part of it was, we were a little above the storm,
and most of it seemed to be around or below us.
You mean the thunder was below, too?
Yes. You should have heard it reverberate in those mountain passes.
Where's mighty fine to have you here safe, Dan?
And now then, shall we take a cab and head back for the searches? We're already late.
We sure don't want to miss our dinner. I don't, anyhow.
I got an extra dessert coming, thanks to Bob's.
Well, well, Dan Dugan.
It's certainly nice having you here with us again.
I tell you, Mr. Randall, you have no idea how I feel about your generosity
in letting me join the circus for the rest of the season.
Oh, not at all. Dan, you're a real addition.
Listen, Mr. Randall, I want to make this one thing clear,
once and for all, that we'll never bring it up again.
This sounds serious.
It is, to me. I don't want this to be a charity proposition.
Oh, don't be silly, Dan. Of course it isn't.
I've had lots of experience along these lines, and I expect a definite job.
I want to keep myself respected by being of some real use to your outfit.
Well, I'm sure you will be.
Then what are my duties?
Well, let's see.
Well, right now, I can't think of anything special.
That's just what I was afraid of.
Well, take it easy for a day or two, Dan. Something will turn up.
Mr. Randall, I know that I'm one of the best organizers in the world.
Anybody who has planned and carried out the kind of expeditions I've done
for so many years has to be a good organizer.
Well, I know that.
Well, all right. Now, until you find some definite job for me,
why don't you let me wander around this lot and try and check up on any loopholes?
I might find some shortcuts along the work line,
or I might find a cheaper way of handling some of the business.
Oh, sort of an efficiency expert, huh, Dan?
You might call it that.
Well, if you'd come to any other place but a circus with that offer,
you'd probably have found plenty to suggest.
Well, until you find me a better job, why don't you let me try?
Why, Dan, don't you know that circuses are the most highly efficient businesses in the world?
Yes, but even in a circus, there must be some loopholes.
Well, and I'll tell you what, Dan.
I'm so sure you won't be able to make any shortcuts that,
well, I'm willing to wager you a new suit of clothes.
You won't find one way of making this circus more efficient than it is.
You're on.
A suit of clothes for every suggestion I turn in that you use, huh?
Okay, Dan, but I'm afraid you're wasting your time.
Oh, no. Mr. Randall, I'm afraid you're going to be out a lot of clothes.
I'm in need of a wardrobe right now.
And I'll tell you, before we hit winter quarters, I'll bet I'll be the best-dressed man in America.
Oh, yeah?
Well, Dan, if you are, you'll certainly have earned everything you own.