A lonesome cowboy hunting a stray was the only other human being in
sight, and he was a half mile away. Suddenly out of the sky swooped an
all-metal airplane, glistening in the sun. It made a beautiful landing
on the sandy soil, bumped along over a few clumps of mesquite, and
came to rest close beside Mr. Hampton. The latter jumped from his
horse, and started running toward it. Evidently, Jack thought, his
father believed the Temples and Frank had unexpectedly arrived.
Then the watching cowboy saw two men leap from the airplane and start
for Mr. Hampton, who turned as if to run. Thereupon, one of the two
pointed a revolver at him and he turned, perforce, and surrendered. He
was put into the airplane, the two men again climbed aboard, and the
machine soared up into the sky before the astonished cowboy could more
than set his horse in motion.
All this Jack explained and then asked:
"Mr. Temple, what would you advise me to do?"
"Does anybody else know of this?"
"Only the cowboy who saw it and I," said Jack. "This cowboy knew
father by sight, and came direct to me with the information. I've
made him promise not to tell anybody until he hears from me."
"That's right, Jack," said Mr. Temple, very earnestly.
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