Soon they came in sight of the old familiar landmarks and began to lay their course for the flying field. They were surprised as they neared it to see that a great crowd had gathered there.
“Great Scott!” exclaimed Dick as they swept down to make their landing. “It looks as though the whole town has turned out and then some. The place is black with people.”
“Sure thing,” agreed Phil in surprise. “What’s the big idea, I wonder.”
“It’s radio getting in its fine work,” declared Dick. “The chief has radioed from the first town he came to, and Tom has caught the message and spread the news. See if I’m not a good guesser.”
Because of the crowd, Phil had to figure carefully about making his landing, but the throng made a lane for him and the Arrow came down as light as thistledown. Her short run had barely ended before the crowd surged around the Radio Boys, cheering and shouting and almost pulling them out of the plane in their enthusiasm.
“Have a heart,” protested Phil laughingly, as they mauled and pounded him and his companion. “Don’t wring my hands off. I need them in my business.”
Tom was among the first to greet them, his rotund face beaming with smiles.
“Bully boys!” he cried, “You turned the trick and the town’s wild over you. Oh, I know all about it,” he continued. “I got a radio from the chief and the whole town knew it five minutes later.”
“So you’re the guilty wretch responsible for all this roughhousing,” said Phil as he made a playful pass at him.
“I sure am,” grinned Tom as he ducked, “and if you’d been ten minutes later I’d have had the town band here to meet you. I’ll bet they’re tuning up now.”