“How do you mean help him, Vic?” inquired Mr. Strapp.
“Well, I can lend him some money—put in some capital, I suppose you call it. Say, you’re laughing,” Vic interrupted himself to say, but solemn as a judge. “That’s all right. I know it must seem funny to you to hear this kind of talk, when I haven’t got enough in real cash to buy a meal. But I never tell a lie. I’ve got some capital—quite a heap of it. It’s in property—not money; but it can soon be changed into money.”
“How much, now?” insinuated the interested ex-ranchman.
“Well, maybe several thousand dollars.”
“Whew!” ejaculated Pep. “That’s a pile for a boy.”
“Yes, sir,” went on Vic, earnestly, “it is for a fact. When I first found it out I was stunned. But, I’ve got it. It’s too big, that property, to carry around with me; but it’s mine, just the same. It’s value. It can be sold.”
“Say, what is this property of yours?” fairly exploded Pep, consumed with curiosity.
“Four camels,” replied Vic Belton, calmly.
CHAPTER XIII
THE SHIPS OF THE DESERT
Pep Smith had never before seen a boy who owned camels. It was such a big thought that he was at a loss what to say. He stared at the extraordinary youth before him.