"That's lucky," said Fly. "Thought we'd have to take her all apart."
"Lucky thing Ike didn't bring that engine over to the shop," commented Dunk. "We never would have gotten that out."
"Pretty good luck all around," responded Hawke, optimistically. "So cheer up, and let's get busy right away this afternoon repairing the _Thunder Bird_. If we're goin' to chase thieves we've got to get at it soon."
In the afternoon, Carl, whose active spirit chafed under the restraint put upon him by Dr. Rivers, broke bonds and escaped from the sickroom. The boys were industriously working on the plane when he appeared, a little haggard and hollow-eyed, at the hangar.
"Hello there, old scout," exclaimed Herb heartily. "Glad you're out."
"Was she much smashed up?" asked the Indian, smiling rather forcedly.
"Not much, we can mend her up in a couple of days," responded Hawke.
"Too bad we went under before we got her clear out," continued Carl, "but I'm glad it isn't damaged worse than it is."
"Guess I'll take a walk over to the cliffs," added the Indian, reflectively. "There's enough of you working on this."
"The cliffs?" echoed Fred interrogatively.
"Yes, I'm going to see if I can scare up that confounded Indian," responded Carl, shutting his lips rather tightly, a light in his eyes which the boys had never seen there before.
"The strange Indian?" repeated Jerry uncomprehending.
"Sure thing. He's the fellow that's done all this," said Carl. "And he's going to meet me on the warpath for it too."
"Better not get mixed up with him, Carl," advised Hawke, seeing that the boy was rather excited and fearing that his savage nature might assert itself. "Wait till he turns up here and we'll all get after him."
Carl did not reply, but, turning, walked away in the direction of the mountain trail.
"Maybe it was the old scout," reflected Dunk. "You know what Carl said the very afternoon of the fire."
"And we bumped into him snooping back of the barracks right after the fire started," continued Fly.
"He's after the Thunder Bird, too," went on Gray. "Say, I'll bet he did it, all right."
"Dad went in to see Carl this morning," said Herb; "wanted him to let him make up the money he had lost, but Carl wouldn't hear to it. Maybe he'll come 'round in a day or two, when he has time to think it over."