But that lasted for only a very brief time, since they speedily reached a point far beyond where any of the fleeing Indians had gone. After that it was plain sailing and they made rapid speed.
Then, after they had covered many miles in this fashion, with the glasses Andy was able to make out trees ahead, and some sort of ridge that doubtless marked the delimitation of the desert’s border.
Nearer and nearer they drew. Jose began to actually consider that he still had something of a chance to live through it all; though the balance of his life he would certainly never be apt to forget what dreadful fears had held him gripped fast in their power when up in a fast-flying aeroplane.
Now the keen-eyed pilot was looking for a likely place to land, and this he discovered close to the trees themselves, where the ground became much firmer, and Jose could immediately get under shelter from the broiling sun.
After coming down from that cool altitude the tremendous heat of the desert was almost overpowering, and both boys were glad to know that they did not have to continue on through it for any great length of time.
So Jose was finally landed. He seemed to be rejoiced to find himself once more on solid ground. True, he would always boast of having been up almost to the clouds, but it is unlikely that any ordinary attraction could tempt him to try it again.
He shook hands with each of the boys when they were ready to once more venture into unknown space with the aeroplane. Andy was a little dubious about accepting that hand, which he felt pretty sure had not always been free from crime; but then Frank had done it, and he felt that he could not do better than imitate his cousin in such matters.
They had no particular trouble about the new launching; indeed, now that the biplane was free from the weight of Jose, it seemed to mount upward like a bird that has broken loose from its cage.
The last they saw of the Mexican he was waving a hand after them. And Frank felt well satisfied with the morning’s work. He believed that not only had they succeeded in rescuing the little girl, but that fortune had allowed them to give a bad man a chance to open his eyes. It might be the means of turning Jose Sandero from his evil ways; and then again the incident was liable to be swallowed up by the demands of his hard life. And probably they would never know.
Once again they were flying boldly across the wide stretch of desert, with its lonely looking cactus plants, and its queer windrows of sand that looked for all the world as though a giant comb had been drawn over the land, leaving it in this peculiar condition. When, finally, they reached the northern end of the desert, and headed direct for the ranch house, possibly both of the Bird boys were feeling happier that ever before in all their lives. They had accomplished what seemed next door to a miracle, because, had the men in “chaps” chased after Jose, and threatened to take him, there could be no telling what the desperate Mexican might not have done rather than submit.