Turning on his radio transmitter, Jack said into the microphone, "This is a Yee Company repairship. Jack Bohlen asking permission to land on the McAuliff strip, in answer to your call."

He waited, and then there came the answer from the huge ranch. "O.K., Bohlen, all clear. No use asking what took you so long." McAuliff's resigned, grumpy voice.

"Be there any minute now," Jack said, with a grimace.

Presently he made out the buildings ahead, white against the sand.

"We've got fifteen thousand gallons of milk here." McAuliff's voice came from the radio speaker. "And it's all going to spoil unless you get this damned refrigeration unit going soon."

"On the double," Jack said. He put his thumbs in his ears and leered a grotesque, repudiating face at the radio speaker.