Frank was listening to the buzz of the motor. Whenever they were thus humming along through space this was his favorite occupation. And indeed, when one stops to consider how much depended on the successful operation of that same industrious engine, he could be easily excused for taking such intense interest in its labors. Let it suddenly get out of condition and it would bring the daring young aviators face to face with a crisis that might threaten even their lives. Deprived of the means of making progress would necessitate a volplane toward the ground, always a dangerous performance and one that should only be attempted when the conditions are all favorable, or some desperate need arises.
Turn whichever way Andy would nothing but disappointment seemed to meet him; and being pretty much an impulsive boy, perhaps it was only natural that he should voice his disgust.
“Oh! I wouldn’t give that any worry,” Frank told him. “If Jose has had as much time as we think, he must be away ahead of the line of your observation just now, especially on account of all that haze along the horizon.”
“But if we can’t see him, how are we to know that we’re keeping in a direct line after him?” demanded the one who wielded the glasses. “We can only take our chances,” Frank answered, steadily, as though he did not mean to be ruffled so early in the game, when so many things remained untried, any one of which might sooner or later prove to be the magic key, fated to unlock the treasure chest.
“And just keep on heading south, is that it, Frank?”
“Exactly so, Andy. We’re about dead sure that it’s Jose who carried away Little Sunbeam; and knowing that, we can figure he’s sure to make a bee line for the nearest place where the border comes. So I’m shaping our course for that same region myself. And when we get there, perhaps we’ll find we’ve been left in the lurch and that his fast ponies have won the day.”
“And what then, Frank; would we have to turn around and come back like a dog with his tail between his legs, just because the kidnapper managed to quit American soil, and get on that belonging to Mexico? As for me, I’d be willing to give him the merry chase right down along the line till we landed in Mexico City, or else in a Black Hole in some town on the way.”
“I feel pretty much the same way, Andy; but first of all, you see, we’ve just got to find out where the man and child are. So keep on looking while I drive her along a little faster. I think we can stand another turn, with this light and favorable breeze carrying us with it.”
For several minutes no one said a single word. Frank was busy with his motor, while Andy had his eyes fairly glued to the small end of the glasses, as though he kept hoping that he would make a pleasing discovery the very next minute.
Now even the ranch building would be found to look very small and far to their rear, did they bother glancing back that way, which, to tell the truth, neither of them did.