ed the prospects for finding oil favorable. Then the
Independents came in quietly and took up leases, and Mr. Hampton
followed to prepare for development of the field."

"Yes, that's the way of it," agreed Jack.

"Say, Jack," said Frank, "I'm hungry as a hunter. If we are going to
get dinner at your camp, let's move along. How far is it, by the way?"

"Ten miles," said Jack, leading the way toward the automobile with its
dozing Mexican at the wheel. "Come on."

The others followed and were about to climb into the automobile when
the rapid hoofbeats of a galloping horse ringing on the sun-baked clay
of the street drew their attention, and they paused.

"Why, it's Gabby Pete," said Jack in surprise, moving forward a step
as the rider reined up his horse so sharply that it reared and slid on
braced hind legs. The animal came to rest so close to him that Jack
was forced to give back a step, and it stood there snorting and
blowing.

An oldish man of tremendous girth, but who sat his horse easily
despite his size, grinned down at Jack. He was white-haired and under
the brim of his sombrero little eyes twinkled genially and shrewdly in
a round, fat face.

"What brings you here, Pete?" asked Jack, sharply. "I thought you were
at camp, getting dinner for my guests." He indicated the boys and Mr.
Temple, who stood close at hand, looking on. "Who will prepare dinner
for them now?"

Gabby Pete, the talkative camp cook, scratched his head under his
sombrero, and looked solemn. "Waal, they'll have ter wait a bit," he
said. "But I kin rustle grub in a hurry onct I git back ter camp. An',
anyhow, Mr. Jack, a feller came to camp a while ago in one o' them
there aeryoplanes. Jest flew up almost to the door an' steps out an'
gin me this yere letter." Here Gabby Pete produced a missive from the
front of his shirt, and passed it to Jack. "He sez as how it war most
partickler that you git it right away. So I rid in with it," said
Gabby Pete, adding aggrievedly: "an' now you hop on me fur it."

Jack seized the missive in a sudden fever of anxiety. An airplane? He
opened the letter, took in its contents at a glance, and turned
excitedly to his chums.

"Father's held for ransom," he cried. "Here. Read this."

CHAPTER IX

ON THE DESERT TRAIL

Eagerly Mr. Temple, Bob and Frank gathered around Jack, crowding to
read over his shoulders the missive left at camp by a messenger in an
airplane and brought to Ransome by Gabby Pe