A heavy-set, red-faced man had made his way to the green and silver mail plane. He had overheard Tim’s request and stepped up to the plane to introduce himself.
“I’m Hank Cummins, owner of the Circle Four Ranch,” he said. “You’re welcome to all the gasoline you need and anything else we can do to help you.”
Tim introduced himself and found that the owner of the Circle Four and all of his men had read of his exploits as the flying reporter.
“You’re one of the fellows who got the Sky Hawk last year!” exclaimed a cowboy.
Tim grinned and nodded.
The owner of the ranch started giving orders and the cowboys hurried away to fill cans with gasoline and replenish the nearly empty fuel tanks of the mail plane.
Tim crawled stiffly from the cockpit. It felt good to be on the ground again with a chance to exercise his stiffened muscles. He flailed his arms to bring back the circulation and stamped his feet on the ground.
In five minutes the cowboys were back with the heavy cans of gasoline and Tim directed their efforts. A short time later and the mail plane was ready to go again.
“Better come up to the house and have a snack to eat before you start,” urged Mr. Cummins.
“I haven’t any time to spare,” replied Tim.