No. 4, Burnham Stenhouse, a young graduate of the Colorado School of Mines, in charge, had not been heard from since it parted from Woodruff, May twelfth, at the mouth of the Fremont, Dandy Crossing of the Colorado.
“There is no reason to be apprehensive,” explained Mr. Cook. “But Stenhouse should have sent some word before this.”
“Why do you want to keep advised of their movements?” asked Roy.
“It’s business. We’re following the petroleum and coal veins. When they show up in one place, that’s where we’d like to work everybody. Probably not one of these gangs is over one hundred and twenty-five miles from our office, but they might as well be a thousand.”
“I’ll find ’em,” exclaimed Roy. “Here’s the map. I’ll get ’em all. I’m ready.”
Young Stenhouse’s party was selected as the first to be located. But, as a precaution, while Roy made his preparations, the next morning, Mr. Cook wrote letters to all his “oil scouts.” Roy equipped the aeroplane with the entire outfit he had brought from Chicago.
Food was secured from Mr. Cook’s house, and the trading stores. The list was prepared by Sink Weston.
“What I’m apackin’ fur ye,” he explained, “won’t spile. An’ so be it anything puts yur aeroplane express out o’ commission, hyar’s enough fur any keerful man fur five days.”
The list included: 1½ pounds of crackers; ¾ pound of rice; 1¼ pounds salt pork; 1¼ pounds bacon; 2½ pounds ham; 1 pint syrup; 1½ pounds sugar; ¼ pound tea; 1 can condensed cream; ¼ sack salt; 1 jar cheese; 1 bar soap; 2 candles; 2 boxes sardines.