“You see,” Carl explained, “the fellow is a stranger so far as this camp is concerned. If he had ever been here before, he would now know exactly what to do. Either Ben or Glenn could lay the machine within six inches of the _Louise_ without half trying.”
“Then you are certain that it is not one of your friends in control of the aeroplane?” asked Sam.
“I am sure of that!” replied Jimmie. “Neither one of the boys would handle a machine the way that one is being handled.”
“When she gets a little nearer we can tell whether that man Doran is on board or not,” suggested Carl rather anxiously.
“If you are certain that the machine has been stolen from the field where she was left,” Sam went on, “you ought to decide without delay what course to take when she lands. The man having her in charge may have followed you here with hostile intentions.”
“We have two automatics apiece,” Jimmie grinned, “and we know how to use them, so we’ll be able to take care of ourselves, whatever happens!”
“And I have two which I found lying with the provision packages in one of the tents,” said Sam. “Perhaps I shall be able now to pay for my dinner. I’m always glad to do that whenever I can.”
The oncoming machine was now circling over the valley, and it seemed that a landing would be made in a few minutes. The boys moved back to where the _Louise_ lay, then stood waiting and watching anxiously.
“Do you think the men on the machine saw you?” asked Jimmie, in a moment, turning to Sam. “It doesn’t seem possible that they did!”
“Certainly not!” answered Sam. “You must remember that it is dark down here, and that they are virtually looking into a black hole in the hills. The way they approach the valley indicates that. Only for the remnants of the fire, I don’t believe they could have found the valley at all!”
“Perhaps they haven’t seen us, either!” Carl suggested.
“Then I’ll tell you what we’ll do!” Jimmie exclaimed. “We’ll scatter and hide in three different places, in three different directions. Then, when they land, we’ll perform the Jesse James act and order them to throw up their hands! With six automatics pointing in their direction, they’ll probably obey orders without argument.”
“I should think they would!” laughed Carl.