Part 8 (1/2)

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 Pete, the camp cook, following Jack, who had gone to the little New Mexican town to meet the party from the East.

The writing was cramped and foreign, as if the pen were wielded by a hand more accustomed to form German script than English letters. The missive was brief:

”Sir, this is to inform you that Mr. John Hampton is held in a secure place. One hundred thousand dollars must be paid for his release. A man riding alone must bring the money in United States bills of one thousand dollars each to the Calomares ranch two weeks from today. He must wear a white handkerchief in his hat.”

While the others read, Jack turned to Gabby Pete and said authoritatively:

”Pete, you heard me say something just now about my father being held for ransom. I believe you are my friend.” Gabby Pete nodded violently. ”Well, forget what you heard. If anybody asks you, remember that father has gone East on business.”

”Sure, boy,” said Pete. ”I'm a tombstone. Well, me an' Angel Face here,” and he slapped his horse affectionately, whereat Angel Face reared and pranced, giving the lie to her name, ”we may as well git started fur camp so's to feed you when you arriv.”

Jack laid a restraining hand on Pete's knee. ”Wait just a minute, Pete. Do you know where the Calomares ranch is located?”

Pete nodded. ”Aw, sure,” he said, ”that must be Don Fernandez y Calomares, down in Ol' Mexico. That's a good hundred mile acrost the border. It's in a valley in them mountains,” he added, pointing to the darkening southern horizon.

”And who is this Don?”

”Waal,” drawled Gabby Pete, plaintively, ”I stick to hum so much o'

the time I never git to talk to n.o.body nor hear the noos. But seems to me I did hear onct about him. Yes, sir, somebody sez as how Don Fernandez lives in a palace in that wilderness jest like a king of old, with armed ree-strainers or whatever you calls 'em----”

”Retainers, Pete,” said Jack, suppressing a smile.

”Yes, that's the word. An' this feller what tol' me sez as how he's very proud and haughty-like an' has a beyootiful daughter, an'----an'----”

Pete dropped his voice, and paused, eyeing Remedios, the Mexican in the nearby flivver.

”Think he kin hear me,” he whispered.

”Guess not,” said Jack. ”Why?” He, too, looked toward Remedios. The latter had his back to them and was blowing indolent wreaths of smoke from a brown paper cigarette.

”I don't trust that feller, that's all,” whispered Gabby Pete hoa.r.s.ely. ”He's down acrost the border too much o' the time. Anyhow, as I was sayin', this yere Don Fernandez is agin the Obregon gov'ment an' backin' a new revolution. That's what the feller tol' me, anyhow.

Waal, Mr. Jack, Angel Face an' me will go an' git dinner.” And with a slap on his horse's flank that caused her to spin about and dash away, Gabby Pete was off.

Jack turned to his companions.

”First thing is to get to camp, I guess,” he said. ”Then after dinner we can talk over what has to be done. What do you say?”

”I say let's eat,” said Frank, plaintively.

”He's got the biggest appet.i.te for his size I ever saw,” said Bob, affectionately, slapping his smaller chum on the back.

”I second Jack's motion,” said Mr. Temple, seizing his bags and leading the way to the car. The others also picked up their bags and followed. ”We know now that your father is safe, Jack,” said Mr.