The thunder bird

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Title:TheThunderBird
Author:B.M.Bower
ReleaseDate:December27,2004[eBook#14486]
Language:English
Charactersetencoding:ISO-646-US(US-ASCII)
***STARTOFTHEPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKTHETHUNDER
BIRD***
E-textpreparedbyAlHaines

THETHUNDERBIRD
by
B.M.BOWER

AuthorofChipofTheFlying-U,StarroftheDesert,Skyrider,etc.
FrontispiecebyAntonOttoFischer


Grosset&Dunlap
PublishersNewYork
1919,

[Frontispiece:StillSchwabhungback."I'llwaituntilhecancome.I—Ican't
leave."]

CONTENTS
CHAPTER
IJOHNNYASSUMESADEBTOFHONORIIANDTHECATCAMEBACKIIIJOHNNY
WOULDDOSTUNTSIVMARYVTOTHERESCUEVGODSORSOMETHINGVIFAME
WAITSUPONJOHNNYVIIMERELYTWOPOINTSOFVIEWVIIISUDDENMUSTDO
SOMETHINGIXGIVINGTHECOLTHISHEADXLOCHINVARUPTODATEXIJOHNNY
WILLNOTBEANICEBOYXIITHETHUNDERBIRDTAKESWINGXIIITHEHEGIRAOF
JOHNIVANJEWELXIVFATEMEETSJOHNNYSMILINGXVONEMOREPLUNGEFOR
JOHNNYXVIWITHHISHANDSFULLOFMONEYANDHISEYESSHUTXVII"MYJOB'S
FLYING"XVIIIINTOMEXICOANDRETURNXIXBUTJOHNNYWASNEITHERFOOLNOR
KNAVEXXMARYVTAKESTHETRAILXXIJOHNNYISNOTPAIDTOTHINKXXII
JOHNNYMAKESUPHISMINDXXIIIJOHNNYACTSBOLDLYXXIVTHETHUNDERBIRD'S
LASTFLIGHTFORJOHNNYXXVOVERTHETELEPHONE


CHAPTERONE
JOHNNYASSUMESADEBTOFHONOR

SinceLifeisnomorethanaseriesofachievementsandfailures,thisstoryis
goingtobeginexactlywherethetelleroftalesusuallystops.Itisgoingtobegin
withJohnnyJewelanacceptedloverandwithoneofhisdearestambitions
realized.ItisgoingtobegintherebecauseJohnnyhimselfwasjustbeginningto
climb,andthetopofhisdesireswasstillalongwayoff,andthehigheryougo
theharderistheclimbing.Evenlovedoesnotrestatpeacewiththeslippingon
oftheengagementring.IleaveittoLife,thesupremejudge,tobearmeoutin
thestatementthatLovemuststraightwaygirdhimselfforalifestrugglewhenhe
haspassedthefloweredgatewayofawoman'stremulousyes.
ToJohnnyJeweltheachievementofpossessinghimselfofsocovetedapieceof
mechanismasanairplane,andofflyingitwithrapidlyincreasingskill,beganto

losealittleofitspowertothrill.Thegettinghadfilledhisthoughtswakingand
sleeping,hadbroughthimsomedanger,manythrills,agooddealofreproach
andmuchself-condemnation.Nowhehadit—thatepisodewasdiminishing
rapidlyinimportanceasitslidintothepast,andJohnnywasfacingaproblem
quiteasgreat,washarboringambitionsquiteasdazzling,aswhenherodea
sweatyhorseacrossthebarrenstretchesoftheRollingRRanchanddreamedthe
whileofsoaringfarabovethebarrenness.
Well,hehadsoaredhighabovemanymilesofbarrenness.Thatdreamcouldbe
dreamednomore,sinceitsmagicvaporshadbeendissipatedinthebrightsunof
reality.Hecouldnolongerdreamofflying,anymorethanhecouldbuildair
castlesoverridingahorse.NeithercouldherackhissoulwiththoughtsofMary
VSelmer,wonderingwhethershewouldevergettocaringmuchforafellow.


MaryVhaddemonstratedwithmuchfranknessthatshecared.Heknewthefeel
ofherarmsaroundhisneck,thelookofherfaceclosetohisown,thesweet
thrillofherwarmyounglipsagainsthis.Hehadboughtheramodestlittlering,
andhadwatchedtheshineofitonthethirdfingerofhertannedlefthandwhen
shelefthim—goingglovelessthattheringmightshineupather.
Thefirstepisodeofherlifethushappilyfinished,Johnnywaslookingwith
round,boyish,troubledeyesuponthesecond.
"Long-distancecallforyou,Mr.Jewel,"theclerkannounced,whenJohnny
strolledintotheArgonauthotelinTucsonforhismail."Justcamein.Thegirlat
theswitchboardwillconnectyouwiththeparty."
Johnnyglancedintohisemptykeyboxandwentontothetelephonedesk.Itwas
MaryV,heguessed.Hehadpromisedtocallherup,buttherehadn'tbeenany
newstotell,nothingbuttheflatmonotonyofinaction,whichmeantfailure,and
JohnnyJewelneverlikedtalkingofhisfailures,eventoMaryV.
"Oh,Johnny,isthatyou?I'vebeenwaitingandwaiting,andIjustwonderedif
youhadenlistedandgoneofftowarwithoutevencallinguptosaygood-by.I've

beenperfectlyfrantic.There'ssomething—"
"Youneedn'tworryaboutmeenlisting,"Johnnybrokein,hisvoicetheessence
ofgloom."Theywon'thaveme."
"Won'thave—why,JohnnyJewel!HowcantheUnitedStatesArmybeso
stupid?Why,Ishouldthinktheywouldbegladtoget—"
"Theydon'tlookatmefromyourpointofview,MaryV."Johnny'slipssoftened
intoasmile.Shewasagreatlittlegirl,allright.Ifitwerelefttoher,theworld
wouldgetdownonitsmarrowbonesandworshipJohnnyJewel."Why?Well,
theywon'ttakemeandmyairplaneasagift.Won'thaveusaround.They'lltake
meonasacommonbucktrooper,andthat'sall.AndIcan'tafford—"
"Well,butJohnny!Don'ttheyknowwhataperfectlywonderfulflyeryouare?
Why,Ishouldthink—"
"Theywon'thavemeinaviationatall,evenwithouttheplane,"saidJohnny.
"Thepaperscamebackto-day.Iwasturneddown—flatonmyface!Goldarn


'em,theycandowithoutmenow!"
"Well,Ishouldsayso!"criedMaryV'sthin,indignantvoiceinhisear."How
perfectlyidiotic!Ididn'twantyoutogo,anyway.Nowyou'llcomebacktothe
ranch,won'tyou,Johnny?"Thevoicehadturnedwheedling."Wecanhavethe
duckiesttimes,flyingaround!Dad'llgiveyouatremendouslygood—"
"YouseemtoforgetIoweyourdadthreeorfourthousanddollars,"Johnnycut
in."I'llcomebacktotheranchwhenthat'spaid,andnotbefore."
"Well,butlisten,Johnny!Daddoesn'tlookatitthatwayatall.Heknowsyou
didn'tmeantoletthosehorsesbestolen.Hedoesn'tfeelyouowehimanything
atall,Johnny.Nowwe'reengaged,he'llgiveyouagood—"
"Youdon'tgetme,MaryV.Idon'tcarewhatyourfatherthinks.It'swhatIthink
thatcounts.Thisairplaneofminecostyourdadalotofgoodhorses,andI'vegot
tomakethatgoodtohim.IfIcan'tsellthedarnedthingandpayhimup,I'llhave
to—"

"IsupposewhatIthinkdoesn'tcountanythingatall!Isayyoudon'towedada
cent.Nowthatyouaregoingtomarryme—"
"Youtalkasifyouwasanencumbranceyourdadhadtopaymetotakeoffhis
hands,"blurtedJohnnydistractedly."Ourbeingengageddoesn'tmakeany
difference—"
"Oh,doesn'tit?I'mtremendouslygladtoknowyoufeelthatwayaboutit.Since
itdoesn'tmakeanydifferencewhatever—"
"Aw,cutitout,MaryV!YouknowdarnwellwhatImeant."
"Why,certainly.Youmeanthatourbeingengageddoesn'tmakeaparticle—"
"Say,listenaminute,willyou!I'mgoingtopayyourdadforthosehorsesthat
wererunoffrightundermynosewhileIwastinkeringwiththisairplane.Idon't
carewhatyouthink,orwhatoldSuddenthinks,orwhatanybodyonearth
thinks!IknowwhatIthink,andthat'saplenty.I'mgoingtomakegoodbeforeI
marryyou,orcomebacktotheranch.
"Why,goodgolly!DoyouthinkI'mgoingtobepointedoutasajokeonthe


RollingR?DoyouthinkI'mgoingtowalkaroundasalivingcuriosity,theonly
thingSuddenSelmerevergotstungon?Oh—h,no!NotlittleJohnny!Theycan't
sayIgotintotheoldmanforabunchofhorsesandthegirl,andthatoldSudden
hadtostandforit!ItoldyourdadI'dpayhimback,andI'mgoingtodoitifit
takesalifetime.
"I'mcallingthatdebtthreethousanddollars—andIconsideratthatI'mgiving
himtheworstofit.He'soutmorethanthat,Iguess—butI'mcallingitthree
thousand.So,"headdedwithanextremecheerfulnessthatprovedhowheavy
washisload,"IguessIwon'tbeouttosupper,MaryV.It'sgoingtotakemea
dayortwotoraisethreethousand—unlessIcanselltheplane.I'mstickinghere
trying,butthereain'tmuchhope.Aboutthreeorfouradaykidmeintogiving
'ematrialflight—andto-morrowI'mgoingtostartcharging'emfivedollarsa
throw.Ican'tburngasgivingawayjoyridestofellowsthathaven'tanyintention

ofbuyingmeout.They'llhavetodigupthecoin,afterthis—Icanletitgoon
thepurchasepriceiftheydobuy,yousee.That'sfairenough—"
"Thenyouwon'tevenlistentodad'sproposition?"MaryV'stoneprovedhow
shewasclingingtotherealissue."It'saperfectlywonderfulone,Johnny,and
really,foryourowngood—andnotbecauseweareengagedintheleast—you
shouldatleastconsiderit.Ifyouinsistonowinghimmoney,why,Isupposeyou
couldpayhimbackalittleatatimeoutofthesalaryhe'llpayyou.Hewillpay
youagoodenoughsalarysoyoucandoitnicely—"
Johnnylaughedimpatiently."Letyourdadjumpupmywagestoapointwhere
hecanpayhimselfback,youmean,"heretorted."Oh—h,no,MaryV.Youcan't
kidmeoutofthis,sowhykeeponarguing?Youdon'tseemtotakemeseriously.
Youseemtothinkthisisjustawhimofmine.Why,goodgolly!Ishouldthinkit
wouldbeplainenoughtoyouthatI'vegottodoitifIwanttoholdupmyhead
andlookmenintheface.It's—why,it'saninsulttomyself-respectandmy
honestytoevenhintthatIcoulddoanythingbutwhatI'mgoingtodo.Thevery
factthatyourdadain'tgoingtoforcethedebtmakesitallthemorenecessary
thatIshouldpayit.
"Why,goodgolly,MaryV!I'dfeelbettertowardyourfatherifhehadme
arrestedforbeinganaccomplicewiththosehorsethieves,orslappedan
attachmentontheplaneorsomething,thanwavethewholethingofftheway
he'sdoing.It'dshowhelookedonmeasaman,anyway.


"I'llbedarnedifIappreciatethiswayhe'sgotoftreatingitlikeaspoiledkid's
prank.I'mgoingtomakehimrecognizethefactthatI'maman,bygolly,and
thatIlookatthingslikeaman.He'sgottobeproudtohavemeinthefamily,
beforeIcomeintothefamily.Heain'tgoingtotakemeinasonemorekidto
lookafter.I'llcomeinashisequalinhonestyandbusinessability,—insteadof
justanewfadofMaryV's—"
"Well,forgracioussake,Johnny!Ifyoufeelthatwayaboutit,whydidn'tyou

sayso?Youdon'tseemtocarewhatIthink,orhowIfeelaboutit.Youdon't
seemtocarewhetheryouevergetmarriedornot.AndI'msureIwasn'ttheone
thatdidtheproposing.Why,itwilltakeyearsandyearstosquareupwithdad,if
youinsistondoingitinaregularbusinessway—"
Johnny'sharshlaughstoppedher."Yousee,youdoknowwhereIstand,afterall.
IfIletitslide,thewayyouwantmeto,that'sexactlywhatyou'dbethinking
afterawhile—thatIneverhadsquaredupwithyourdad.You'dlookdownon
me,andsowouldyourfatherandyourmother.They'dalwaysbeafraidI'ddo
somefoolthingandstingyourdadagainforafewthousand."
"Well,ofallthecrazytalk!AndI'vegonetothetroubleofcoaxingdadtogive
youashareintheRollingRinsteadofputtingitinhiswillforme.Anddad's
goingtodoit—"
"Oh,no,heisn't.Idon'twantanyshareintheRollingR.I'dgotojailbeforeI'd
takeit."
MaryVproducedwoman'sfinalargument."Ifyoucaredanythingatallforme,
Johnny,whenIaskyoutocomebackanddowhatdadiswillingtohaveyoudo,
you'ddoit.Idon'tseehowyoucanbestubbornenoughtorefusesucha
perfectlywonderfuloffer.Youwouldn't,ifyoucaredasnapaboutme.Youact
justasifyouweresorry—"
"Aw,layoffthatdon't-carestuff!"Johnnygrowledindignantly."Caringforyou
hasgotnothingtodowithit,Itellyou.It'sjustsimplyaquestionofwhatkinda
markIam.YouknowIcare!"
"Well,then,ifyoudoyou'llcomerightoverhere.Ifyoustartnowyoucanbe
herebysundown,andit'sniceandquietandnowindatall.You'veabsolutelyno
excuse,Johnny,andyouknowit.Whendad'swillingtoforgetaboutthose
horses—"


"WhenIcome,yourdadwon'thaveanythingtoforgetabout,"Johnnyreiterated
obstinately."Idowishyou'dlookatthethingright!"

MaryVchangedhertactics,relyingnowuponintimidation."Ishallbeginto
lookforyouinaboutanhour,"shesaidsweetly."Ishallkeeponlookingtillyou
come,ortillitgetstoodark.Ifyoucareanythingaboutme,Johnny,you'llbe
here.I'llhavedinnerallready,soyouneedn'twaittoeat."Thenshehungup.
Johnnyrattledthehookimpatiently,calledhellowithirritatedinsistence,and
finallysucceededinraisingCentral'simpersonal:"Number,please?"Whereupon
heflunghimselfangrilyoutofthebooth.
"Doyouwanttopayatthisend?"Thegirlatthedesklookedupathimwitha
gleamofcuriosity.MentallyJohnnyaccusedherof"listeningin."Hesnappedan
affirmativeatherandwaiteduntil"longdistance"toldhertheamount.
"Fourdollarsandeighty-fivecents,"sheannounced,givinghimapertlittle
smile.Johnnyflippedasmallgoldpiecetothedeskandmarchedoff,scorning
hisfifteencentschangewiththeairofamillionaire.
Johnnywasangry,grieved,disappointed,worried—andwouldhavebeenwholly
miserablehadnothisangersodominatedhisotheremotionsthathecould
continuementallyhisargumentagainsttheattitudeofMaryVandtheRollingR.
Theyrefusedtotakehimseriously,whichhurtJohnny'sself-esteemterribly.
Wereheolder,wereheapropertyowner,SuddenSelmerwouldnotsolightly
waveasidethatdebt.HewouldpayJohnnytherespectoffightingforhisjust
rights.Butno—justbecausehewasbarelyofage,justbecausehewasJohnny
Jewel,theyallactedasthough—why,darn'em,theyactedasthoughhewasa
kidofferingtoearnmoneytopayforabrokenplate!AndMaryV—
Well,MaryVwasagreatlittlegirl,butshewouldhavetolearnsomedaythat
Johnnywasmaster.Heconsideredthisasgoodadayasanyforthelesson.
Better,becausehewasreallyupholdinghisprinciplesbynotgoingtotheranch
meeklysubmissive,becauseMaryVhadannouncedthatshewouldbelooking
forhim.JohnnywincedfromthethoughtofMaryV,outontheporch,watching
theskytowardTucsonfortheblackspeckthatwouldbehisairplane;listening
forthehigh,stridentdronethatwouldheraldhiscoming.Shewouldcryherself
tosleep.

Butshehaddeliberatelysentencedherselftotearsanddisappointment,hetold
himselfsternly.Shemusthaveknownhewasinearnestaboutnotcoming.She
hadnorighttothinkshecouldkidhimoutofsomethingbigandvitaltohis
honor.Sheoughttoknowhimbythistime.
Brieflyheconsideredreturningtothehotelandcallinguptheranch,justtotell
hernottolookforhimbecausehewasnotcoming.Butthesmallmatterof
payingthetolldeterredhim.Itwashumiliatingtoadmit,eventohimself,thathe
couldnotaffordanotherlong-distanceconversationwithMaryV,buthehad
cometothepointinhisfinanceswhereatwo-bitpiecelookedlargeasadollar.
Hewouldmissthatsmallgoldpiece.
Sincethegovernmenthadrefusedtoconsideracceptinghisservicesandpaying
himabonusforhisplane,hewouldhavetosellit—ifhecould.
Thereitsat,reareduponitstwolittlewheels,itsnosepokedrakishlyoutofan
oldshedthathadbeenremodelledtoaccommodateit,itstailstickingoutatthe
othersidesothatitslightlyresembledaturtlewithitsshellnotquitecoveringits
extremities.TheMexicanboywhomJohnnyhadhiredtowatchtheplaneinhis
absencelayasleepunderonewing.Afaintodorofvarnishtestifiedtotheheatof
thedaythatwaswaningtowardasultrynight.
WithoutdisturbingtheboyJohnnyrolledasmokeandstood,ashehadstood
manyandmanyatime,staringathisprizeandwonderingwhattodowithit.He
hadtohavemoney.Thatwasflat,final,admittingnoargument.Atareasonable
estimate,threethousanddollarsweretiedupinthatmachine.Hecouldnot
affordtosellitforanyless.Yettheredidnotseemtobeamaninthecountry
willingtopaythreethousanddollarsforit.Itwasacuriosity,athingtocomeout
andstareat,athingtoadmire;butnottobuy,eventhoughJohnnyhadasan
addedinducementofferedtoteachthebuyertoflybeforethepurchasepricewas
takenfromthebank.
ThestalkingshadowofamanmovingslowlywarnedJohnnyofanapproaching

visitor.Hedidnottroubletoturnhishead;heevenmovedfartherintotheshed,
totightenaturnbucklethatwaslettingacablesagalittle.
"Hello,oldtop—howtheyusingyuh?"greetedavoicethathadinitafamiliar,
whiningnote.
Johnny'smusclesstiffened.Hostility,suspicion,surprisesurgedconfusingly


throughhisbrain.Heturnedasonewhowasbracinghimselftomeetanenemy,
withaprimitivepricklingwherethebristlesusedtoriseonthenecksofour
cavemenancestors.


CHAPTERTWO
ANDTHECATCAMEBACK

"Why,hello,Bland,"Johnnyexclaimedafterthefirstblanksilence."Ithought
youwastiedupinasackandthrowedintothepondlongago!"
Thevisitorgrinnedwithasourdrooptohismouth,adroopwhichJohnnyknew
ofold."Butthecatcameback,"hefollowedthesimile,blinkingatJohnnywith
hispale,opaqueblueeyes."Whatyuhdoinghere?Startinganaviationschool?"
"Yeah.Freeinstruction.Wantalesson?"Johnnyretorted,onlyhalfthesarcasm
intendedforBland;therestgoingtothetownthathadfailedtodisgorgeabuyer
forwhathehadtosell.
"Aw,Isupposeyouthinkyoucouldgivemelessons,nowyou'velearnedtodoa
littlestraightawayflyingwithoutlandingonyourtail,"Blandfleered,withthe
impatienceoftheseasonedflyerforthenovicewhothinkswellofhimselfand
hisnewlyacquiredskill."Say,thatwassomebumpyougiveyourselfonthe
domewhenwelitoverthereinthatsandpatch.Itriedtotellyuhthatsand
lookedloose—"
"Yes,youdid—not!Youwasscaredstiff.Yourfacelookedliketheinsideofa

rawbaconrind!"
"Sure,Iwasscared.Sowouldyouofbeenifyou'daknownasmuchaboutitasI
knew.Iknewwewasduetopileup,whenyougrabbedthecontrolawayfrom
me.You'llmakeaflyer,allright—andagoodone,ifyuhlastlongenough.But
youcan'tlearnitallinaday,bo—takeitfromme.Anyway,Igotnokickto
make.Itwasyouandtheplanethatgotthebumps.AllIdonewasbitemy
tonguehalfoff!"
Boythathewas,Johnnylaughedoverthis.TheideaofBlandbitinghistongue


tickledhimandservedtoblurhisantagonismforthetrickyaviatorwhohad
playedsolargeapartinhissalvagingofthisveryairplane.
"Uhcourseyou'lllaugh—butyouwasn'tlaughingthen.I'llsayyouwasn't.I
thoughtyouwascroaked.Costsomethingtorepairtheplane,too.I'msayingit
did.Hadtohaveanewpropeller,andanewcrank-caseforthemotor—costthe
oldmanattheranchclosetothreehundreddollarsbeforeIturnedheroverto
him,readytotaketheairagain.That'sincludingwhathepaidme,ofcourse.But
Iguessyouknowwhatitcost,whenhehandedyouthebill."
ThiswasnewstoJohnny,newsthatmadehissoulsquirm.Lyingtheresickatthe
RollingRranch,hehadnotknownwhatwastakingplace.Hehadfoundhis
airplanereadytofly,whenhewasatlastabletowalkouttothecorrals,butno
oneseemedtoknowhowmuchtherepairinghadcost.CertainlySuddenSelmer
himselfhadsufferedalapseofmemoryonthesubject.Allthemorereasonthen
whyJohnnyshouldrepayhisdebt.
"WhatI'mwonderingaboutiswhyyouaren'tinLosAngeles,"heevadedthe
unpleasantsubjectawkwardly."OldSuddengaveyoumoneytogo,anddumped
youatthedepot,didn'the?That'swhatMaryVtoldme."
"Hedid—andImissedmytrain.AndwhileIwaswaitingforthenextImust'a'
etsomethingpoison.Iwasawfulsick.IguessitwastendaysorsobeforeI
cometoenoughtoknowwhereIwas.I'vehadhardluck,bo—I'llsayIhave.I

wasrobbedwhileIwassick,andonlyforatambourinequeenIgotacquainted
with,IguessI'd'a'died.They'retreacherousashell,though.Longasshethought
Ihadmoney—oh,well,they'snouseexpectingkindnessinthisworld.Or
gratitude.I'malwayshelpin'folksoutandgittin'kickedandcussedformypay.
LookitthewayIlivedwithsnakesandlizards—livedinacave,likeacoyote!—
tohelpyougitthisplaneinshape.YouwastotakemetoLosforpay—butIain't
thereyet.I'mstuckhere,sickandhungry—Iain'tetamouthfulsincelastnight,
andthenIonlyhadadishofsourbeansthatdamn'Mex.hussyhandedouttome
throughawindow!Me,BlandHalliday,aflyerthathasmadehishundredsdoing
exhibitionwork;thathashadhispictureonthefrontpageofbigcitypapers,and
folksfollowin'himdownthestreetjusttogetalookathim!Me—why,ayellow
dawghasgottheedgeonmeforluck!Imightbetterbedead—"Hislooselips
quivered.Tearsofself-pitywelledupintohispaleblueeyes.Heturnedaway
andstaredacrossthebarrencalflotthatJohnnyusedforaflyingfield.


Johnnybegantohavepremonitoryqualmsofasympathywhichheknewwas
undeserved.BlandHallidayhadgotasquaredeal—morethanasquaredeal;for
Sudden,Johnnyknew,hadpaidhimgenerouslyforrepairingtheplanewhile
Johnnywassick.Blandhadundoubtedlysquanderedthemoneyinonelong
debauch,andtherewasnodoubtinJohnny'smindofBland'sreasonformissing
histrain.Hewasabumbynatureandhewoulddouble-crosshisownmother,
Johnnyfirmlybelieved.Yet,therewasJohnny'sboyishsympathythatnever
failedsundrystraydogsandcatsthatcameinhisway.Itimpelledhimnowto
befriendBlandHalliday.
"Well,sincethecat'scomeback,Isupposeitmusthaveitssaucerofmilk,"he
grinned,bywayofhidingthefactthatthelip-quiverhadtouchedhim."Ihaven't
takenanynourishmentmyselfforquitesometime.Comeonandeat."
Hestartedbacktowardtown,andBlandHallidayfollowedhimlikealonesome
pup.

Ontheway,JohnnytookstockofBlandinlittlequickglancesfromthecornerof
hiseyes.BlandhadbeenshabbywhenJohnnydiscoveredhimonedayonthe
depotplatformofatinytownfartherdowntheline.Hehadbeenshabbierafter
threeweeksinJohnny'scamp,workingontheairplaneinhopeofafreetripto
theCoast.ButhisshabbinessnowsurpassedanythingJohnnyhadknown,
becauseBlandhadevidentlymadepitifulattemptstohideit.That,Johnny
guessed,wasbecauseofthehussyBlandhadmentioned.
Bland'sshoeswerewornthroughonthesides,andhehadblackenedhisragged
sockstohidetheholes.Somewherehehadgotabluesergecoat,fromwhichthe
liningsaggedinfrayedwrinkles.Hispocketsweretorndownatthecorners;
buttonsweregone,greasespotsandbeerstainspatternedthecloth.Underthe
coatheworeapink-and-whitesilkshirt,muchsoiledandwiththeneckfrankly
open,imitatingsportstylebecauseofmissingbuttons.Helookedwhathewas
bynature;whathewasbytraining,—areallyskilfulbirdman,—didnotshowat
all.
HebeggedasmokefromJohnnyandslouchedalong,withanaimlessgarrulity
talkingofhishardluck,nowcuriouslyshotwithhope.WhichirritatedJohnny
vaguely,sinceinstincttoldhimwhencethathopehadsprung.Still,sympathy
madehimkindtoBlandjustbecauseBlandwassoworthlessandsomiserable.


Atadingy,fly-infestedplacecalled"Red'sQuickLunch"whitherJohnny,
mindfulofhislowfinances,pilotedhim,Blandorderedlargelyandcomplained
becausehis"Tbone"wastoorare,andafterwardsbecauseitwastough.Johnny
dinedon"coffeeandsinkers"sothathecouldaffordBland'ssteakand"French
fried"andhotbiscuitsandpieandtwocupsofcoffee.Thecat,hetoldhimself
grimly,wasnotcontentwithasaucerofmilk.Itwasonthetopshelfofthe
pantry,lappingallthecreamoffthepan!
AfterwardshetookBlandtothehotelwherehisroomwaspaidforuntiltheend
oftheweek,ledhimupthere,producedanoldsuitofclothesthathadnot

seemedtowearasufficientlyprosperousairfortheownerofanairplane,and
suggestivelyopenedthedoortothebathroom.
Blandtooktheclothesandwentin,mumblingafearthathewoulddohimself
mortalinjuryifhetookabathrightafterameal.
"Ifyoudie,you'lldieclean,anyway,"Johnnytoldhimgrimly.So
Blandtookabathandemergedlookingalmostrespectable.
Johnnyhadbroughthissecond-bestshoesout,andBlandputthemon,pursing
hislooselipsbecausetheshoeswereasizetoosmall.ButJohnnyhadthrown
Bland'sshoesoutofthewindow,soBlandhadtobearthepinching.
Johnnysatontheedgeofthedressersmokingandfanningthesmokeawayfrom
hisround,meditativeeyeswhilehelookedBlandover.Blandcaughtthelook,
andinspiteoftheshoeshegrinnedamiably.
"Itakeitback,bo,whatIsaidaboutgratitude.Yougotit,afterall."
"Huh!"Johnnygrunted."Gratitude,huh?"
"Iknowedyouwouldn'tthrowdownafriend,oldtop.Iwasinthedumps.A
feller'lltalkmostanywaywhenhe'sfeelingtheaftereffects,andishungryand
broke.NowI'mmyownmanagain.Whatnext?Nameit,bo—I'mgame."
"Next,"saidJohnny,"isbed,Iguess.You'reclean,now—youcansleephere."
Blandshowedthathecouldfeelthesentimentcalledcompunction.
"Muchobliged,bo—butIdon'twanttocrowdyou—"


"Youwon'tcrowdme,"saidJohnnydrily,"Iaimtosleepwiththeplane."Bland
mayhavereadJohnny'sreasonforsleepingwithhisairplane,butbeyondone
quicklookhemadenosign."Stillnutsoverit—I'llsayyouare,"hegrunted.
"Youwaittillyou'vebeeninthegamelongasIhave,bo."
Withablanketandpillowboughtonhiswaythroughthetown,Johnnydisposed
himselfforthenightunderthenoseoftheplanewiththewheelsofthelanding
gearathisback.Hewasnotbynatureasuspiciousyoungman,butheknew
BlandHalliday;andtoknowBlandwastodistrusthim.

Hefeltthathewastakinganecessaryprecaution,nowthatheknewBlandwas
inTucson.Withthelandinggearbehindhim,noonecouldmovetheairplanein
thenightwithoutfirstmovinghim.
Nowthathethoughtofit,Blandhadbeenleftfiftymilesfartherdowntheline,
tocatchhistrain.Tucsonwasaperfectlyillogicalplaceforhimtobein,evenfor
thepurposeofcarousing.Onewouldcertainlyexpecthimtohurrytothecityof
hisdesiresandtakehispleasurethere.JohnnydecidedthatBlandmuststillhave
aneyeontheplane.
ThathewassecretlyenviousofBlandasanaviatordidnotaddtohismental
comfort.Blandcouldspeakwithslightingfamiliarityof"thegame,"andassume
aboredomnotaltogetherapose.Blandhaddrunkdeepandsatisfyinglyofthe
cupwhichJohnny,tosavehishonor,mustputawayfromhimafteratantalising
siportwo.NotuntilBlandhadsaid,"Waittillyou'vebeeninthegameaslong
asIhave,"hadJohnnyrealizedtothefulljustwhatitwouldmeantohimtopart
withhisairplanewithoutbeingacceptedbythegovernmentasanaviator.
AttheRollingR,whenhisconsciencedebttoSuddenpressedsoheavily,hehad
figuredverynicelyandhadfoundtheanswertohisproblemwithoutmuch
trouble.Toenlistasanaviatorwithhisairplane,ortoselltheplaneinTucson,
turntheproceedsovertoSuddentopayhisdebtandenlistasanaviatorwithout
themachine,hadseemedperfectlysimple.Eitherwaywouldbemakinggood
themistakesofhispastandpavingthewayforfutureachievements.Parting
withtheplanehadnotpromisedtosowrenchtheveryheartoutofhimwhenhe
fullyexpectedtoflyfasterandfartherinairplanesownedbythegovernment;
fasterandfarthertowardthegoalofallred-bloodedyoungmales:gloryor
wealth,thehero'swreathoflaurelorthesmileofdameFortune.


MaryVstoodontheheightswaitingforhim,asJohnnyhadplannedand
dreamed.Hewouldcomebacktoheracaptain,maybe—perhapsevenamajor,
inthesehottimesofswiftachievement.Theywouldallbeproudtoshakehis

hand,thosejeeringoneswhocalledhimSkyriderforajoke.CaptainJewel
wouldnothavesoundedbadatall.But—
ThereisnododgingthefinalityofUncleSam'sno.TheyhadnotwantedJohnny
Jeweltoflyforfameandhiscountry'shonor.Andifhesoldhisownairplane,
howthenwouldhefly?Howcouldheeverhopetobeinthegameaslongas
Blandhadbeen?HowcouldhedoanythingbutgobackmeeklytotheRollingR
RanchandridebronksforMaryV'sfather,andbehailedasSkyriderstill,who
hadnomoreanyhopeofridingthesky?
GloomatlastplumbedthedepthsofJohnny'ssoul,andshowedhimwheregrew
therootofhisunalterabledeterminationtocombatMaryV'splantohavehimat
theranch.MuchashelovedMaryVhewouldhategoingbacktothedull
routineofranchlife.(Andafterall,ayouthlikeJohnnylovesnothingquiteso
muchashisaircastles.)Asariderofbronkshewasspoiled,hewhohadridden
triumphantthehighairlanes.HehadtalkedofpayinghisdebttoSudden,hehad
talkedofhisself-respectandhishonestyandhispride—butaboveandbeyond
themallhewasfightingtosavehiscastleintheair.Debtornodebt,hecould
nevergobacktotheRollingRandbearancher.Lyingthereunderhisairplane
andstaringupatthestarredpurpleofthenightheknewthathecouldnotgo
back.
Yetheknewtoothatoncehehadsoldhisairplanehewouldbealmostas
helplessfinanciallyasBlandHalliday,unlesshereturnedtotheonlytradehe
knew,thetradeofridingbronksandperformingthevariousotherdutiesthat
wouldbehisportionattheRollingR.
JohnnypicturedhimselfbackattheRollingR;picturedhimselfridingoutwith
theboysatdawnafterhorses,orsweatinginthecorrals,spittingdustand
profanitythroughlong,hothours.Therewasalure,ofcourse;apicturesque,
intangibleattractionthatcallstothewildbloodofyouth.Butnotascallsthis
otherlifewhichhehadtasted.Therewasnogainsayingthefact—ranchlifehad
growntootame,toostaleforJohnnyJewel.Andtherewasnogainsayingthat
otherfact—thatMaryVwouldhavetoreconcileherselftobeinganaviator's

wife,ifshewouldmatewithJohnny.


HewenttosleepthinkingbitterlythatneitherhenorMaryVneedconcern
themselvesatpresentoverthatpoint.Itwouldbesometimebeforetheissue
needbefaced,judgingfromJohnny'spresentprospects.


CHAPTERTHREE
JOHNNYWOULDDOSTUNTS

Blandwokehim,justasdaywascoming.AnewBland,freshshaven,—with
Johnny'srazor,—andwithacertainlanguidanimationinhismannerthatwasin
sharpcontrasttohisextremedejectionofthenightbefore.
"ThoughtI'dcomeoutandseeifyouwasgoingtomakeaflightthismorning,"
hesaid."It'sagoodmorningforit,bo.How'ssheworking,thesedays?Oldman
attheranchwouldn'tletmetryheroutafterI'dfixedherup;saidyouwastoo
sicktohavethemotorgoing.SoIcouldn'tbesureI'dmadeagoodjobofit.
Giveyouanytrouble?"
Johnnysatupandknuckledhiseyes,hismouthwideopeninacapitalO.It
seemedtohimthatBlandhadhisnerve,andheguessedshrewdlythatthe
aviatorwassimplymakingsureofhisbreakfast.Whencatscomebacktheyhave
afashionofhangingaroundthekitchen,heremembered.Oh,well,therewas
nothingtobegainedbybeingnastyandevenBland'scompanywasbetterthan
none.
"Hey,ain'tyuhawakeyet?Iaskedyuhhowthemotor'sacting."
"O—o—h,aw-righ!"yawnedJohnny,blinkingaroundforhisboots."Iain'tbeen
flyingmuch.Justflewoverherefromtheranch,andalittlecirclenowandthen
whensomethingcomealongthatlookedlikemoney.Iwantedtokeepherin
goodshapeincasethegover'ment—"

"Tryingtosellitbacktothegover'ment,huh?Icouldatoldyuh,bo,they
wouldn'ttakeitasagift.She'sabacknumbernow—ahas-been,fromthe
gover'mentviewpoint.Whydon'tyoukeepit?Whatyuhwanttosellitfor,f'r
cat'ssake?She'sagoldmineifyouknowhowtoworkit,bo—takeitfromme."


"Well,Iwishtothunderyou'dshowmethegold,then,"Johnnyretortedcrossly,
pullingonhisboots.
"Lendusasmoke,willyuh,oldtop?Themoney'shere,allright,ifyuhjust
knowhowtogetitout.Andflyingforthegover'mentain'ttheway.I'llsaya
man'sgottobehisownbossifhewantstopulldownrealmoney.Longasyou're
workin'forsomebodyelse,he'sgettingthevelvet.Youain't,believeme.Andthe
gover'mentasaboss—"
"Well,goodgolly,cometothepoint!"snappedJohnny."HowcanImakemoney
withthisplane?"Hegaveitadisgruntledlook,andturnedtoBland."She'sa
birdofamillionaire'stoy,ifyouaskme,"hesaid."She'safiendforgasandoil,
andeverytimeyouturn'eraroundthere'ssomedarnedthingtobefixedor
replaced.I'maboutbroke,tryingtokeepheruptillIcansellout.It'scoffeeand
sinkersforyou,oldtimer,ifyou'regoingtoeatonme.Anothermeallikeyou
hadlastnight,andwe'llbothhavetoskipafewinordertobuygastojoy-ride
somecheapsportthatletsonhe'sthinkingofbuying.Isupposeyourideais—"
"F'rcat'ssakegivemeachancetotellyuh!Courseyou'llgobroketryingto
supporttheplane.You'regoin'atitbackwards.Maketheplanesupportyou.
That'smyidea.Andyoudoitbyexhibitionflyingformoney—notsailin'around
givingthewholedamncountryafreetreat.
"Iknow—youthinkI'mabumandallthat;maybeyouthinkI'macrook,ferallI
know.AndyouturnupyournoseatanythingIsay.Butlemmetellyuh,oldtop,
Iain'taD.andO.becauseInevermadeanymoneyflyin'.It'sbecauseIblowed
whatImade.Andit'sbecauseImadesodamn'muchitwenttomyheadand
madeafooloutame.Listenhere,bo:IboughtmeaStutzoutawhatIearned

flyin'inoneseason—andIblowedmoneyrightandleftandsmashedthecarand
liketoofbrokemyneck,andhadtopaydamagestotheotherfellerthatpeeled
myrolldowntothesizeofapencil.Thepointis,ittookmoneytodothem
things,didn'tit?AndImadeitflyin'myownplane.That'swhatyouwantto
soakintoyoursystem.Imadebigmoneyflying.WhatIdonewiththemoney
don'tneedtoworryyou—youain'tcopyin'meformorals.
"Nowwhatyouwanttodoislearnsomestunts,firstoff.Youlearntoloopand
tail-slideandthefallin'leaf,andtowriteyourname,andthemthings.Itain'tso
hard—notforaguylikeyouthatain'tgotsenseenoughtobeafraidofnothing.
Thewayyouwentoffinthatplanewiththegirlmademyhairstandonend,and


that'snokiddin',neither.Ifyou'dhadafeargerminyoursystemyouwouldn't'a'
donethat.Butyoudoneit,andgotawaywithit,isthepoint.Andyoubeen
gittin'awaywithitrightalong—andyounotknowin'yourmotoranymore'nI
knowridin'onahorse!"
"Aw,say!That'sgoin'toofar,"protestedJohnny,butBlandgavehimnoheed.
"Youlearnthestunts—earlyinthemorningwhenthereain'tthehulltownoutto
rubber—andthenpulloffanexhibitionortwo.Seventy-fivedollarsistheleast
youeverneedtoexpect.Don'tgointheairforless.Fromthatup—dependson
howspectacularyouare.Thepubliclovestowatchforthedeathfall.That'swhat
theypaytosee—nothopin'yougetkilled,butnotwantin'tomissseeingitin
caseyuhdo.Andwiththistheonlyairplanearoundhere—why,say,bo,it'sa
cinch!"
JohnnyfannedthesmokeawayfromhisfaceandeyedBlandwithlofty
tolerance."Andwheredoyouexpecttocomein?Youneedn'tkidyourselfinto
hopingI'lltakeyouforaself-forgetfulmartyrperson.What'sthelittlejoker,
Bland?"
Blandturnedhispale,opaquestareuponJohnnyforaminute."Aw,forcat's
sake,gimmethedoubt,bo!I'mhumaninmorewaysthantryin'toseehowmuch

boozeIkinlapup.It'sachanceIwanttostartfresh.Thisbummingaroundain't
gettingmeanything.I'msickofit.Yougottabelearnttodoexhibitionstuff,and
I'mtheguythatcanlearnyuh.You'llwantamechaniciantokeepyourmotorin
shape.Icanmakeamotor,gimmethetools.Youwantsomebodythatknowsthe
gametokindamanagethings.You'reSkyriderJohnny,sameastheboysatthe
ranchcallsyuh.Yongottahaveaflunkey,ain'tyuh?I'mwillin'tobeit.I'll
changemyname,sonobodyneedstoknowit'sBlandHalliday.Oryoucan
gimmeashareinthenetprofits,andI'llkeepthenameandmakeitpullthings
ourway.They'snousetalking,bo,I'vegotthegoods!ThenameBlandHalliday
isatrademarkforflyin'—andnevermindifitalsostandsfordamfool.I'llbrace
upandgiveyuhthebestIgot.Honest,that'swhatIwant—achancetogetonmy
feetagin.I'drutherhelpyouflyyourplanethanflyoneofmyown.I'drun
amuckaginifIownedanythingIcouldraisemoneyon.
"IfyouthinkItriedtodoyoudirt,backthereinthedesert,bo,you'rewrong.
Ab-so-lutely.Ithoughtyouwasfixingtodouble-crossme,andgitawaywiththe
planeandleavemethere.Itgotmygoat—I'llsayitdid—thatdesertstuff.SoI


hidthegas,soyoucouldn'tgooffandleaveme.Butthat'sbehindus.Youcan
givemeachancenowtostraightenup,andIcanputyouinthewaytomakebig
money.Youthinkitover,bo.They'snogreathurry,andwecanmakeaflight
nowandseehowshestacksup.Beasport—gofillupthetankandlet'sgo."
Johnnygroundthecigarettestubunderhisheelinthedirt,shruggedhis
shoulderswithafineimitationofperfectindifference,andyawned.Hewould
thinkoverBland'sidea.Hedidnot,ofcourse,intendtofallforanythingthatdid
notlooklikegoodbusiness,andhewasnotatallanxioustohaveBlandfora
partner.Indeed,havingBlandforapartnerwasaboutthelastthingJohnny
wouldeverexpecthimselftodo.Still,therewasnoharminlettingBlanddown
easy.Aflightortwo,maybe,wouldgiveJohnnysomegoodpointers.Hehad
learnedmuchfromBland,inaveryshorttime,headmittedreadilytohimself.

Hecouldlearnmore,andhecouldletBlandgooverthemotor.Bythattimehe
wouldmaybehaveabuyer.Ifnot,hewouldhavetimetodecideaboutexhibition
flying.
Johnnydidnotknowthatashewentaftergashisstepwasspringierthanithad
beenforalong,longwhile.Hedidnotknowwhyitwasthathewhistledwhile
hefilledthetorpedo-shapedtank—indeed,Johnnydidnotevenknowthathe
whistled,northatitwasthefirsttimesincehehadworkedoverhisplanedown
atSinkholeCampwhenallhisdreamswerebright,andbadluckhadnot
knockedathisdoor.Yethedidwhistlewhilehemadereadyforflight,andhis
eyeswerebigandroundandeager,saidhemovedwiththeimpatientenergyofa
youthgoingtohisfavoritegame.ThesesignsMaryVwouldhaverecognized
immediately;Johnnydidnotknowthesignsexisted.
BlandhelpedhimselftoapairofnewcoverallsofJohnny'sandtinkeredwiththe
motor.Johnnywentaroundtheplane,testingcablesandtryingtoconcealeven
fromhimselfhisnewhopeofkeepingit.
"Allright,bo,"Blandannouncedatlast."Kicktheblockawayandlet'srunher
out.Shesoundsprettyfair—betterthanIexpected."
ItpleasedJohnnythatBlandseemedtotakeitasamatterofcoursethathe
shouldoccupythefrontseat.Thelasttimetheyhadflowntogether,Blandhad
occupieditperforce,withJohnnyandtwogunsbehindhim.Afterall,Johnny
reflected,hewouldnothavebeensosuspiciousofBlandifMaryVhadnot
influencedhim.Andeveryoneknowsthatgirlstakenotionswithverylittle


reasonforthefoundation.Blandwasabum,butthelittlecussseemedtowantto
makegood,andamanwouldbeprettypoorstuffthatwouldn'thelpafellow
reform.
Withthatcomfortablereadjustmentofhismentalattitudetowardthebirdman,
Johnnystrappedhimselfin,pulleddownhisgoggleswhileBlandeasedinthe
motor.HesawBlandglancetorightandleftwiththeoldvigilance.Hefeltthe

testingofcontrols,theunconscioustensingofnervesforthestart.Theyraced
downthecalfpasture,nosedupwardandwentwhirringawayfromadwindling
earth,straighttowardtheheartofthedawn.
Itwaslikedrinkingofsomeheadywinethatblursone'stroublesandpushes
themfardownoverthehorizon.Johnnyforgotthathehadproblemstosolveor
worriesthatnaggedathimincessantly.HeforgotthatMaryV,awayoffthereto
thesouthwest,hadprobablycriedherselftosleepthenightbeforebecausehe
haddisappointedher.Hewasflyingupandawayfromallthat.Hewassoaring
freeasabird,andtherushofastrong,cleanwindwasinhisface.Theroarof
themotorwasagreat,throbbingharmonyinhisears.Foralittlewhiletheworld
wouldholdnothingelse.
Theywereclimbing,climbing,writinganinvisiblespiralintheair.Blandhalf
turnedhishead,andJohnnycaughthismeaningwithtelepathickeenness.They
weregoingtoloop,andBlandwantedhimtoyieldthecontrolandtowatch
closelyhowthethingwasdone.
Theyswoopedlikeahawkthathasseenameadowmouseamongstthegrass.
Theyclimbedsteeply,swungcleanover,sothattheearthwasoddlyslipping
pastfarabovetheirheads;swungdown,flattenedoutandflewstraight.Itwas
glorious.
AsecondtimeBlandlooped,andyetagain.ItwasexactlyasJohnnyhadknown
itwouldbe.Hewhohadflownsolonginhisday-dreaming,whohadperformed
wonderfulacrobaticsinhisimagination,feltthesensationold,accustomed,
mildereventhaninhisdreams.
Oncemore,andhedidtheloophimself,hardlyconsciousofBland'spresence.
Blandturnedhishead,signalling,anddidaflop,righted,andwasflyingstraight
intheoppositedirection.Again,andflewsoutheastbythesun.Theypractised
thatmanoeuveragainandagainbeforeJohnnyfeltfairlysureofhimself,but


oncehedidithewasoneproudyoungman!

Allthiswhilethefamiliarlandmarkswereslippingbehindthem.Tucsonwasout
ofsight,hadtheythoughttolookforit.Andallthiswhilethesturdymotorwas
hummingitssongofforcetriumphant.Subsequentlyitstutteredfaintlyin
expressingitself.Triumphwasthere,butitwasnotsojoyouslysureofitself.
Blandglided,cockingananxiouseartolistenwhileheslowedthemotor.Itwas
there,thestutter—morepronouncedthanbefore;andoncethatpulsingpower
beginstoflagalittleandgrowuncertain,thereisbutonethingtodo.
TheyglidedanothertenmilesorsobeforeBlandpickedaspotthatlookedsafe
forlanding.Theyhadoneill-chosenlandingstillvividintheirmemory,and
Johnnycarriedalong,whitescaralongthesideofhisheadandatendernessof
thescalptoassisthiminremembering.
Whereforetheycamedowncircumspectlyinaflatlittlefieldbesideaflatlittle
stream,withahuddleofflatdwellingsdrawnbackshylybehindathingroupof
willows.Theycamedowngently,bouncingtowardthewillowsasthoughthey
meanttodriveuptotheverydoorwayofthenearesthut.Astheycameon,their
greatwingsout-spreadrigidly,thepropellerwhirringatslackenedspeed,the
motorsputteringunevenly,thedoorwayspewedforththreefatsquawsandsome
nakedpapooseswhofledshriekingintothebrushbehindthewillows.