“It will take a little longer,” he said, “but sometimes the longest way ’round is the shortest way home. We’ll aim for Messilla, which is not far from El Paso, and it’s somewhat civilized there, so we can get supplies if we need ’em.”
The boys voted this plan a good one. By noon the auto had crossed the narrow stretch of land which is part of Indian Territory, lying between Texas and Colorado. Then they were in the big State of Texas, and, when night came on, they found themselves on a vast plain.
“It’s a case of camp out to-night,” said the miner. “Now we’ll see what sort of stuff you boys are made of.”
But if Nestor expected to find the Motor Boys tenderfeet, he was mistaken. They had camped out too many times before not to know what to do.
The auto was run under the brow of a little hill, and Jerry took charge of things. Bob gathered wood for a fire and Ned went on a hunt for water. He found a little stream that answered admirably. Jerry got out the coffee-pot and frying-pan, and soon had supper cooking.
There was fried canned chicken, with crisp slices of bacon, some thick biscuits, a jar of pickles and steaming hot coffee ready in a few minutes. Bob got out the tin dishes, and, seating themselves on the ground, the adventurers made a hearty meal.
“Well, I must give you boys credit for knowin’ a wrinkle or two,” spoke Nestor. “I couldn’t have done any better myself.”
“It’s a good thing I bought some of those canned goods,” said Jerry. “I thought that would be better than depending on what we could hunt.”
Supper over, and the things put away, the boys got out their blankets in readiness for the night. Nestor lighted his pipe and was puffing away, while in the fast-gathering dusk Professor Snodgrass went searching for rare specimens. He was successful in capturing two odd grass snakes, and seemed quite delighted. Then, as night settled down, each one rolled himself up in his blanket and fell asleep.
Ned awoke first the next morning, and soon had the fire going and coffee made. The aromatic smell of the beverage greeted the others as they roused themselves, and soon a simple but satisfying breakfast was served. Then the journey was continued.