By this time they had almost reached the house that was Cal's destination. Rooster suddenly tapped Cal on the shoulder and pointed toward a car that had just turned a corner and was sweeping down toward them. "Speaking of skunks," he grinned, "there's Sandy Podder now!" CHAPTER IV An Old Enemy Sandy Podder was the last person Garry and his chums cared to see at that moment, torn and ragged as they were from their experience in the hut and with their muddy clothes hanging on them soddenly. But Sandy saw them and did not miss the opportunity of jeering at them. He purposely passed so close to Cal's car as to splash more mud on them and narrowly missed sweeping them from the running board. So slender was the margin that Cal was forced partly to climb the grassy bank on the farther side of the road to prevent being run down. Yates shook his fist wrathfully after the disappearing car. He turned and saw that the sudden swerve he had been forced to make had almost thrown his father from his seat. The jolt had meant agony for the wounded man. Cal Yates muttered furiously beneath his breath as he stopped the car and helped his father to a more comfortable position. "If it wasn't for you, Dad," he exclaimed, "I'd beat it back after that skunk and whale him within an inch of his life! After I've got you fixed, I'll do it, too! See if I don't!" They reached the house, and the boys helped carry the wounded man inside, where he was received with the tenderest consideration and the doctor phoned for at once. Then the Lenox boys left, followed by repeated thanks, promising to call soon to see how the wounded aviator was getting along. "We're sort of brothers-in-arms now," grinned Cal, as he bade the other boys good-bye. "United for the downfall of one Sandy Podder. See you again soon. S'long." At the Grayson house the chums parted. They were sore and bruised, eager for rest and a change to dry clothing. "Meet you in the practice lot to-morrow, fellows," Garry called at parting. "We'll need to get in some good practice, or Mr. Phillips won't be able to see us with a telescope when it comes to making up the team." There was a good deal of excitement in several Lenox homes that night. Mothers exclaimed at the sight of their tramplike young sons, and then listened with bated breath as the boys told of the narrow escape they had had either from being crushed by the airplane or being burned to death. Garry's mother was no exception, and Ella forebore to tease, in her relief at having her brother returned to her safe and sound. Mr. Grayson himself was scarcely less moved. "Ross Yates," remarked Mr. Grayson later, when they had become calmer. "I used to see that name frequently in the papers during the war. He was one of the most daring of the American aces and must have a trunkful of decorations. I'm glad you were able to be of service to him."