their return from Archer's Springs, they
must start hauling oil. Of course, though, that beastly re-seeding would
have to be done first. Roger's shoulders twitched impatiently and he
started abruptly homeward.

The sun had set, when weary beyond words, he reached the Sun Plant.

"Well! Did you run across the Von Mindens?" was Ernest's greeting.

"No! What's happened?"

"We don't know. The old lady was so long coming out of her tent that
toward noon I investigated, to find that she was no longer with us. I
went up to Prebles' and Charley reported that two of the madam's burros
were missing this morning as well as the pack ropes. We think that she
hit out in the night and is trailing the old boy up in the ranges. He
started off early, serene in the thought that she was down here. Charley
didn't mention the burros to him."

"Well, thank heaven for small favors!" exclaimed Roger. "She certainly
got on my nerves."

"Did you find oil?" asked Gustav.

"Yes, I unearthed a fine cache of it. I wish you folks could see the
outfit up there on Snake Peak," and he told them what he had found.

"But you aren't going to annex that oil until you hear from the owners?"
exclaimed Ernest.

"You write to the owners, when we get it here, enclosing a check for the
oil at market rates. I may have trouble, but I doubt it."

They were sitting as usual before their tent smoking their good night
pipes.

"You will get into trouble, Rog," warned Ernest. "Impatience is all
right and good driving power, but what's the use of laying yourself open
to difficulties?"

"Don't be an old maid, Ern, with your piffling German conscientiousness.
I haven't the slightest notion of stealing. I'll pay for every drop of
the oil--"

"How vas the road?" asked Gustav.

"No road at all," replied Roger. "I just plunged through across
country."

"Then, the horses, where--"

"Lord, that's right!" interrupted Roger. "I noticed that there was a
good enough road leading out of the mine to the south--toward Archer's
Springs. But it's clear on the other side of the range and parallel to
this trail, of course. No good to us at all. Don't tell me we've got to
build a road to get that oil out. My lord, what a country!"

"Vell," said Gustav, "if it is too hard to get it out, then you don't
steal it, then you don't break the law, then you don't get arrested, so
that is good."

"Don't you think I won't get it out, if I have to pack it out in a
canteen," said