Ralph whipped the Jupiter over the amphibian and Tim saw the splatter of shot on the water. The biplane shot upward and around in a tight bank and came back at the clumsier plane, which again was showing signs of life. The motors of the amphibian thundered mightily. The big ship shook its wings and lunged ahead, slithers of spray shooting out from its slide. Overhead hummed the Jupiter and Tim could see now that Ralph was shooting at the larger plane. As the amphibian took off, Ralph circled over them and Tim saw his flying companion wave. "Ralph will keep Sladek busy for a few minutes," he told Ford. "We'd better get to Auburn as soon as possible." While Ralph in the Jupiter chased the slower amphibian all over the valley, Tim and Ford sped up the river as fast as the outboard motor could chug. "That was a timely arrival on the part of your friend," grinned Ford. "It wasn't altogether accidental," replied Tim. "I was afraid of trouble and Ralph remained at Auburn with the ship all tuned up and ready to go at the slightest hint that I was in a jam." "He seems to be a mighty good flyer." "He's ace high and a fine reporter on top of that." "Then we'd better take him along on the treasure hunt." "He'd be a fine addition to your crew but I'm afraid the managing editor will say thumbs down on that suggestion. One of us has to be within call. That's why we seldom have a vacation together." "I expect you're right," said Ford, "but nevertheless I'd like to have a fellow with his nerve. I know that Sladek will follow me into the Caribbean and it's going to be a fight every step of the way to find the Southern Queen and then to get the treasure up. It won't be safe until we get back to New York and place it in bank vaults." "Then you expect Sladek to trail you all the way?" "There's no question about it. With at least a cool million in gold at stake, he'll stop at nothing to get his hands on it and he seems to have plenty of money. Then there's a little personal bitterness between us that dates clear back to the trouble in Guato in 1923." "All of which means a mighty unusual trip," added Tim. They reached the landing stage at Auburn without further trouble and Ford explained briefly that they had had an accident with the other boat. He gave the boatman directions where he could find his craft and paid liberally for the damages. "We'll hike out to the pasture we use for a landing field when we stop here," said Tim. Several cows were grazing almost in the center of the pasture and Tim and Ford ran to chase them into a far corner as Ralph dropped down to a fast landing. He killed his speed quickly, whipped around and rolled the plane over toward them. "Hop in," he shouted. "I don't think that amphib has any love for me." Tim and Ford piled into the front cockpit and Ralph opened the throttle. There was no wind and he took off straight across the pasture just as the amphibian roared over Auburn.