“Not I, my darling,” answered Elaine, stretching luxuriously. “It’s too hot, for one thing; and--” “I dassen’t, for another,” jeered her brother from the door. “Stay there and get fat, then.” “Stay here and keep all in one piece, you mean,” called Elaine to the retreating back. But about an hour later she decided to go down to the flying-field after all and at least watch her brother try out the new 5N. He was in the air when she arrived, watched by quite a group of officers and “kiwi.” “Hullo,” she was greeted by a young captain. “Come on over here and sit down. That brother of yours is trying to break his fool neck. He’s been doing barrel-rolls and flying on his back while he’s resting. I’ll bet that bird he’s got up with him wishes he’d stayed on the ground. Anyone that would go up with Jack Webb when he’s testing out a crate is as crazy as he is.” “He asked me to,” said Elaine, sitting down. “Who is it he has up with him? Must be someone that doesn’t know him very well.” “I dunno,” answered the captain. “I wasn’t here when they started. Some lad said it was a ranger named Yancey.” “What?” said Elaine, sitting up straight. “What Yancey? Was his--I mean is his name--Bud Yancey, Billy?” “Whadda you care?” asked Captain William Carter with a grin. “His name will be mud if he monkeys around flyin’ with Jack, very much. Oh, ho! You’re the reason we are honored with the presence of a ranger, are you? How-come Jack wants to kill him? Doesn’t he approve, Lainy?” “Don’t be any more of a fool than you can help,” answered Elaine crossly. “I just--my goodness, look at him!” [Illustration: However reckless her brother acted in the air, he was cool enough to make a perfect landing.] The great plane came roaring down in a tight spiral, to straighten out, skid, then side-slip to reduce the excess speed, the field being a small one. However reckless her brother acted in the air, he was cool enough to make a perfect landing and bring the plane to a stop within ten feet of where Elaine was sitting. As he crawled out of the cockpit, he was followed by Texas Ranger Bud Yancey, whose tanned young face seemed a little paler than usual, although as immobile and grave as ever. “I’m right much obliged to you,” Bud said, holding out his hand to Webb. “That was sure a ride. I reckon from now on, though, I’ll take mine forkin’ a bronc’.” * * * * * Elaine arrived, with battle showing clearly in her eyes. “John Webb,” she began, “what do you mean by taking anyone up with you when you’re trying out--” “Aw, go on,” her brother grinned. “He wanted to go. --Didn’t you, Bud? Tell sis about it.” And he beat a hasty retreat. “Bud Yancey, you come over here and sit down this minute. The very idea--and you not out of the hospital a week. You should have better sense,” Elaine scolded, leading the grinning Mr. Yancey firmly away to a quiet corner near one of the hangars.