But neither Mr. Temple nor Frank took that thought into consideration.  To them radio telephony was an accepted fact, part of their daily equipment for carrying on life.

What filled their minds to the exclusion of all else was, at first, a sense of gratitude and thankfulness for the lucky outcome of the adventurous mission of the two boys, and, in the second place, a desire to learn the details.

“Now don’t interrupt, Frank,” said Bob.  “Just listen while I talk to father, and you can hear all about it.”

Under this admonition Frank ceased the flood of eager questions he had loosed and confined himself to listening.  As the story of the remarkable series of adventures undergone by Jack and Bob at the Calomares ranch poured through the air, however, Frank, at times, could not curb his quick tongue, and many an exclamation he let slip.  His hand, placed across the mouth of the microphone, however, acted to prevent these exclamations from interrupting the flow of Bob’s explanation.

When Bob had finished his account, Jack took a turn.  And at the recital of his adventures, Frank began to laugh.  Removing his hand from the microphone, he interrupted his chum with the question: 

“Now, who’s the lady-killer?”

Jack, who at the moment, was telling of the part played by Senorita Rafaela, blushed violently and grew indignant.  Bob, standing near, looked at him speculatively.  Was old Jack hard hit by that little Spanish beauty?  Ordinarily, Jack would have answered Frank’s joking in kind.  But to grow indignant!  Bob feared his chum was smitten.

For a long time the three-cornered conversation was carried on through the air, Mr. Temple and Frank both being eager to hear every detail and compelling Jack and Bob to repeat their stories several times.

Finally, drawn by the long absence of the boys, Mr. Hampton appeared at the radio station accompanied by Don Fernandez himself, and he and Mr. Temple held a brief conversation.

At length it was decided that the next day Mr. Hampton, with Bob and Jack, would fly back to the Hampton ranch in New Mexico.  Frank, Tom and Roy Stone were to ride for the border at the same time, after another night’s sleep at the cave.  Morales and Von Arnheim, to whom Don Fernandez spoke personally, were apprised of the turn of affairs, and were told to stay at the cave, which was plentifully provisioned, until a relief party from headquarters could reach them with mounts.

Then “good nights” were said, and at their three different points our respective characters retired for the night, well pleased with the outcome of their adventures.

CHAPTER XXXII

MORE ADVENTURE AHEAD

“Farewell, Senor Jack Hampton.”

Jack clasped the sprightly Spanish girl’s hand, reluctant to release it.  It was noon of the next day.  Brilliant sunshine flooded the landing field of the Calomares ranch.  Bob already had clambered into the pilot’s seat of the airplane.  Mr. Hampton stood to one side, exchanging farewells with Don Fernandez.