Mexican Pete followed his example, and the boys were about to do likewise, when Budge Rankin, reaching into his pocket, called out:
“What’smatterwithis?”
And he held out several packages.
CHAPTER XVIII
LOST IN THE BAD LANDS
“Gum!” cried Jack. “Gum! That’s the stuff, Budge!”
“The very thing!” added Tanker Ike. “I wonder I didn’t think to ask for some. That will be better than the pebbles. Pass it around, young man.”
Budge handed out packages of gum, which he was seldom without, and soon all the travelers were busily engaged in chewing it. In a measure it relieved their thirst at once, and their tongues felt less swollen, and not so much like pieces of leather.
“’Stoobad,” remarked Budge as he put in a fresh wad.