"Here, I'll read it aloud," said Clifford, picking up the paper and holding it close to the lamp. Here is what he read:
"I will bring Old Stanlock along the foothill pike. Will slow up in the sand stretch. Be there ready to grab him. Jake."
CHAPTER VII.
TO THE RESCUE.
"Boys, we've got to do something," declared Patrol Leader Ernie Hunter, breaking the gaping silence that followed the reading of the note.
"What shall we do?" asked Harry Gilbert, who was a good soldier, but no leader.
"We must go to Mr. Stanlock's rescue," Ernie replied. "There is no telling what those rascals are plotting. They may kill him if we don't get there in time to prevent it."
"It's a long hike, and we may not be able to get there in time," Paul Hunter warned.
"That means we've got to move mighty fast," Ernie said. "Boys, get your guns and a supply of shells. I hope we won't have to use them, but we'd better be well prepared. We're going to be late getting back, so you may as well grab some bread and dried beef and anything else you can find in a jiffy to eat on the way. We've got to start in three minutes. Now everybody hustle.