“Dad, dear,” said Terry, quietly yet with determination in her voice. “I’m starting out to find the boys.”
Dick Mapes looked into his daughter’s face. He seemed to be measuring the girl, deciding whether she was equal to the task ahead of her. What he saw assured him that Terry would not fail. He could trust her not to take big chances. He held out his hand.
“Within an hour!” said Terry simply. “_Skybird_ is in shape, I’ve been all over her!”
The father nodded his head. Between him and Terry there was no need for many words. They understood each other.
“I wish to goodness Bud Hyslop hadn’t chosen this time to go off on a vacation,” exploded Terry, her big brown eyes snapping. “When we want that fellow around, he’s never here, and when we don’t want him he sticks like a burr. He isn’t much good at any time but now he could take care of the field while I’m away. I hate to leave you alone, Dad.”
“Don’t worry about me, Terry.” Dick put out his hand and let it rest for a moment on his daughter’s curly brown locks. “The boys’ safety is more important than business. If they are in trouble, they’ll need us. Why, oh why do I have to be tied to this chair when...!”
“Now Dad, just you thank your stars that you are getting well! Six months ago it looked pretty hopeless. Now the doctor says that inside of a year you can walk and be back in the flying game again. Think of that, Dad! Won’t that be fine?”
“Yes, I know, Terry, but it’s hard to sit here, just a useless lump, when Allan and Syd are out somewhere....”
“I’m on my way, Dad. I’ll find them somehow. Probably they have been forced down with engine trouble. You know those boys are frightfully reckless.”
“Yes, that’s what makes me so worried about them. I never could teach them to be cautious. If it were you, Terry, I would feel almost certain that you’d find a way out of your trouble.”
“Thanks, Dad!” The girl stooped and kissed her father tenderly. Then with a smile she ran into the house.
While Dick assented to Terry’s plan with very few words, her mother wanted long explanations. Where and how was Terry to carry out her plans? What would she do if she found the boys injured? How would she get them home?
“I don’t know yet,” replied Terry. “Ask Dad, he’ll explain everything!” Terry hurried to the stairway and called, “Prim, come here. Get into your flying togs. Pack food and water and the first-aid outfit. We are going to find Allan and Syd and they may be in bad shape.”