Before they realized it, they had skidded down and stopped in front of the ranch-house. But they could only pause long enough to allow Herb and Gray to dismount, for it was necessary to reach the Fort as quickly as possible and lodge the plane in its shed before the storm, whose threatening voice was growing constantly louder, broke upon them.
The boys had no chance to exchange words with the rancher before, Carl and Dunk having taken the place of Herb and Gray, they were whisked upward again. And, though anxious to learn the result of their companion's flight, the Indian and his friend were obliged to wait until, just in time, they had shoved the plane back into the hangar and rushed to the Crawford residence. They had scarcely reached the veranda when the fury of the tempest was upon them.
"Whew!" ejaculated Hawke, breathing a deep sigh of relief. "That was a record run. If I had made that at an aviation meet I'll bet they'd have awarded me some kind of a medal."
He spoke lightly, and the boys never knew how wonderfully well he had made that flight. Not one aviator in a hundred would have been able to accomplish it with such coolness and accuracy as Hawke had displayed. Perhaps, after they had themselves learned to fly, they realized the precarious condition in which they had been that night and how much they owed their safe return to Hawke.
They were greeted cordially by the captain when they arrived at the Fort, who listened, with unfeigned interest, to their rapid recital of the evening's events.
"But we're goin' back to-morrow," said Fly, "and get him. For we know where he roosts."
"Yes," said Hawke. "We must lose no time. We have the drop on him now, and I'll run you all up there in the morning. You can let Herb and Gray know."
"Telegram for Mr. Hawke," announced Ike, appearing, dripping but smiling, at the screen door.
"Well, what do you think of that!" exclaimed the aviator, his face suddenly growing grave as he read the wire, and handed it to the captain, who was quickly surrounded by the boys.
"'Mexican insurrectos threaten invasion of Texas,'" read Jerry's father. "'Come immediately. Take charge aviation corps. Urgent.'" The message was dated from Juarez, and was signed by General Marley, commander of the border troops.