es down so hard they'd never point up again."

Bob and Frank, joint owners of the airplane, grinned at each other.

"Well, fellows," said Jack, "We have got to sleep. So I propose that
we stand guard turn about tonight. It's pretty late now, midnight or
thereabouts, so that if we stand two hour watches, the three of us,
we'll pull through nicely without spoiling Mr. Temple's slumber."

The older man protested he was as able to stand a watch as any of
them, but the boys wouldn't have it so. Finally it was agreed that
Jack should take the first watch of two hours, Bob would succeed him
and Frank would have the last watch. The man keeping watch would sit
inside his bedroom door opening on to the gallery, with Jack's
revolver. As the bedrooms adjoined, while that of Rollins was the
last in the house, it would be easy enough to guard both.

The night passed, however, without incident.

It had been agreed beforehand that after the expiration of Frank's
watch at 6 o'clock there would be no necessity for keeping further
watch. Gabby Pete would be up and busy at his early morning tasks, and
the oil drillers housed in the bunkhouse also would be stirring about.
Therefore, after barring the door, a precaution Bob also had taken in
the room shared with his father, he turned in without awaking Jack.

Worn out by their trip of the day before with its attack and the
excitement of the night, all slept soundly, and Gabby Pete did not get
them up. It was almost 10 o'clock when Jack awoke. He called the
others, and soon all were dressed and ready for what the day would
bring forth.

Jack was the first dressed. He found Gabby Pete in the kitchen,
peeling potatoes, and asked if they could have breakfast.

"Sure thing," said Gabby Pete. "Have it fur you right away. Nice fresh
aigs an' ham an' coffee. How's that?"

"Fine. Have you seen Mr. Rollins this morning?"

"Yeah. Give him breakfast early. He lef word he hadda go over to
Number Two well where they're still drillin' an' hain't struck oil
yet, but said as how he'd be back later today. He tuk them two
drillers from the bunkhouse with him."

"Did you know Remedios sneaked up last night and took his flivver
again, right from under our noses?" Jack inquired.

"No, that so?" Gabby Pete dropped his paring knife and potatoes in
surprise.

"Well, he did," said Jack, starting to leave.

Gabby Pete jumped up, almost upsetting his pan in his haste, and
called to Jack to wait. Wiping