"Hustle around and get those supplies for us, please," urged Frank. "We're in a hurry."
"Hosses to water?" queried the rancher, starting for a rear door.
"No horses, McGurvin.
"Ottermobile, I reckon," deplored McCurvin. "If them things git too thick in the desert they'll be the ruination of me. I'll have yore stuff ready in ten minutes."
He went out through the door, Clancy leaped excitedly toward Merriwell.
"What's on your mind now, Chip?" he whispered. "Why the grub and water?"
"I made up my mind, all of a sudden, to extend this of ours to Happenchance."
"You're crazy!" gasped Clancy. "How can we find the way? It would be hard enough in broad daylight, but at night we'd get all twisted up, and end by losing ourselves in the foothills. If we're going to Happenchance, Chip, we'd better camp right here until morning, then cross the rough country when we can see what we're about."
"I had made up my mind to go on to-night," Merry answered, "even before McGurvin told us that about Barzy Blunt."
"Gee, but that was a bombshell! What do you suppose Blunt is doing out this way?"