INTO MEXICO AND RETURN Bright-eyed, eager for the adventure trail, Johnny swung the propeller of the Thunder Bird over three times and turned to Cliff.

"Here's where you learn one of the joys of flying.

Hold her there while I climb in.

When I holler contact, you kick her over--if you're man enough." Cliff smiled, dropped his cigarette and ground it under his heel, then reached up and grasped the propeller blade.

"I never actually did this, but I've watched others do it.