“All right, then, come on,” said Stone nodding. “I’ve taken the keys, and nobody can fly away with her. And out here on the desert, it’s hardly likely there will be visitors, so lead on. I’m a starving man.” Amrath approached to greet Mr. Hampton, whom he thanked again very earnestly for having saved his life, and to be introduced to the boys. His deep eyes glowed as he clasped the older man by the hand, and promised his compatriots would spare no effort to rescue Bob from Athensi. Then he departed with Horeb and the other revolutionists, while the Hampton party with Roy Stone in the center, fell in behind, for the walk up the Great Road to Korakum. “Just the same,” said Mr. Hampton, as Amrath passed beyond earshot, “I’m banking more on your efforts to save Bob by means of the airplane, Stone, than on those of the revolutionists. Their leader is proceeding cautiously, so as to rally the whole country around him before he moves up to attack the walls of Athensi. Unless he executes a coup, gains possession of the city by a trick, it will take months to bring about its fall. Of course, he may not be successful at that, as the Oligarchy has a powerful trained army of 5,000. No, it’s the airplane that must be our salvation, or, rather, Bob’s, for it is quite possible the Sacrificial Games in Athensi may come and go before the rebels succeed.” Stone nodded. “This fellow Amrath has been explaining the situation to me,” he said, “so I know what you’re talking about. And I’m inclined to agree with you. But I feel confident we can snake Bob out in the airplane. Amrath has given me a minute description of the situation of Athensi and of the location of the gladiators’ training camp, so to speak. He’s even drawn me a kind of a rude map which I’ll show you later. It’ll be touch and go, quite likely, but we’ll do it all right. I’ve got an ace in the hole which I’ll tell you about later.” Mr. Hampton dropped a hand on the aviator’s shoulder and pressed hard. That night in Korakum there was a feast and merrymaking. Horeb had sent word to Captain Amanassar of the expected arrival of their comrade Amrath and of a friendly aviator with an airplane which he would place at their service, after first attempting the rescue of the young American captive from Athensi. This word he had sent as soon as learning from Mr. Hampton of the message the boys had received by radio. Captain Amanassar would not be able to come to Korakum, but Jepthah who commanded at the entrance to the other pass, appeared as the feasting began, and an affecting scene occurred on his reunion with Amrath.