“I sure will!” Tom promised. “Don’t worry! I haven’t seen any of those fellows out here. Guess it was too far for them.”
He was soon to learn, however, that this was not the case.
Bidding Mary good-bye over the radio and promising to talk to her again as soon as he could, Tom shut off the power on the wireless and made preparations for having his machine guarded during the night. Except for some of the mechanicians who would sleep on board, the others were to go to a hotel. There they would get some much-needed rest and prepare to make the return trip in a few days. Tom wanted time, however, to have the engines carefully gone over. Also he wanted to communicate with the crews in Denver and Chicago and have them alert and ready to speed him on his way when the return trip should be made.
A hasty inspection of the Osprey showed that the plane had sustained no damage in flying through the storm, but could, after a few adjustments, make the return journey.
“Well, what do you say to a good bath, Ned, and a lobster supper?” asked Tom of his chum, when they had summoned an automobile which would take them and Mr. Damon, with Eradicate, to the hotel.
“That sounds good to me,” Ned answered.
“Koku he stay and guard machine,” announced the big giant proudly, for Tom had informed him that was to be his duty.
“Don’t let anybody near it,” cautioned his master.
“Anybody come—Koku make ’um all full holes,” was the grim answer.
“Mebby Ah better stay, too,” suggested Eradicate.