"You'll want more than that. Look at the guide, if you think you are in difficulties," grinned Tad.
All eyes were turned on Tom Parry. Then they uttered a shout that might have been heard far off on the silent desert. The guide was clad only in a blue flannel shirt and a sombrero. He was in an even worse predicament than the party that he was guiding.
Minutes passed before the boys could control their merriment sufficiently to permit a discussion of their situation.
Tom Parry took their joking good-naturedly. He was too old a campaigner to be greatly disturbed over his own laughable condition.
"Something must be done," announced the Professor, after the laughter had subsided. "What do you propose, Mr. Parry?"
"Well, in the first place, like our friend, Master Stacy Brown, I want a pair of pants. I can't very well cross the desert in this rig."
Once more their laughter drowned the voices of the guide and the Professor.
"Is there no town near here where we can get a fresh outfit? I am thankful that I kept my money belt strapped about me. We should be in a tight fix, had I lost the funds, too," said the Professor.
"I have been considering what is best to be done," replied Parry. "I see no other way than that we shall have to ride to Eureka. That is a railroad terminal and quite a town. I am sure we shall be able to get there all we need for our journey. It will prove a little more expensive than in a larger city, however."
"No question of expense just now," answered the Professor. "Will it be necessary for all of us to go?"