e. Come on, if you're
ready. We'll make a bee line for the Coast. We'd better take grub and
water in case of accidents. You know what happened to the poor devils
that lost this plane in the first place, before I got it."

Bland's jaw went slack. Los Angeles, that had seemed so near, wavered
and receded like a fading mirage. What had happened to those who had
abandoned the plane where Johnny had found it was a horror Bland
disliked to contemplate; a horror of thirst and crazed wanderings over
hot Band and through parched greasewood, with lizards and snakes for
company.

"There can't be any accidents, bo," he said uneasily. "I've went over
the motor careful, and we oughta make it with about two stops for gas
and oil. If I thought we'd git caught out--"

Johnny threw away his cigarette stub and straightened his shoulders.
"Well, we're going to try it," he stated definitely. "You needn't
think I'm anxious to get caught out in that damned desert--I know what
it's like, a heap better than you do, Bland. There's ways to commit
suicide that's quicker and easier than running around in circles on the
desert without water. I aim to play safe. You go down town and buy an
extra water bag and some grub. And when we start we'll follow the
railroad. Beat it--and say! Don't go and load up with sandwiches like
a town hick. Get half a dozen small cans of beans, and some salt and
pancake flour and matches and a small frying pan and bucket and a hunk
of bacon and some coffee. And say!" he called as Bland was hurrying
off, "don't forget that water bag!"

Bland nodded to show that he heard, and struck a trot down the street.
And Johnny, while he occupied himself with going over the plane and
making sure that the gas tank was full and there was plenty of oil,
almost whistled until the thought of Mary V pulled his lips down at the
corners. He wanted to call up the ranch and see if she were there, and
tell her where he was going, but that seemed foolish, after a week of
silence from her. He shrank from the possibility of being told that
Mary V wished to have nothing to do with him. So pride stiffened his
determination to go on and let them think what they pleased of him.

Bland came back with a furtive look in his pale-blue eyes. Johnny gave
him a keenly appraising glance, edged close and sniffed, and decided
that he was too suspicious and that Bland's sneaking look was merely an
outcropping of his nature and had nothin