CHAPTER PAGE
I.[An Old Enemy]9
II.[Delayed Return]25
III.[Unidentified]41
IV.[A Distress Call]56
V.[Platinum River]75
VI.[Capture]91
VII.[Through Space]107
VIII.[The Air Battle]123
IX.[Taken for a Ride]138
X.[Shivering Rocks]154
XI.[Treasure]170
XII.[Gross Exaggeration]187

Airplane Boys At Platinum River

CHAPTER I

AN OLD ENEMY

“I say, Buddy, my esophagus feels as if my pharynx is severed,” Robert Caldwell remarked very soberly to his step-brother, Jim Caldwell, as the pair made their way among the gay crowd attending the Spanish-Peruvian fiesta near Cuzco.

“That’s right serious, old man. Think somebody shot an arrow into the air while you were asleep with your mouth open and it dropped in?” the older boy inquired with equal gravity.

“Is that any way to treat a fellow who is empty to his boot tips and just when I am beginning to discard vulgar slang for something real cultured in the way of language?” Bob demanded.

“Oh! Do you perchance happen to be trying to convey the idea that you are hungry? Why don’t you say so in good old Texas, long may she reign, talk!”

“Well, when do we tank up?”