“Here, boys, lend me a hand,” interrupted Mr. Ogden, with a smile. “We must put the biplane under cover again.”
About two o’clock they all gathered in the great square dining-room of the ranch-house. Dinner was cooked and served by a young Mexican who wore the picturesque costume of his country.
The boys found the highly-spiced and tasty dishes which he had prepared much to their liking, and lingered a long time at the table.
“I suppose you intend to stay in this part of the country for several weeks, boys?” remarked Mr. Ogden, at length.
“Yes, sir,” answered Bob.
“Have you any especial work that you intend to do?”
“That one has,” said Willie, pointing his finger at Cranny. “You wouldn’t think it, to look at him, but he is going to be a rival of Major Warfield Carroll.”
“Ah, indeed!”
“Yes; an’ I’m here to see that he gets to work. Mr. Beaumont thought he needed to be roused up a bit, and sent him along with the Ramblers and me. My, weren’t you gettin’ awful stale, though, Cran?”
“Oh, don’t make me yawn,” snapped Cranny. “What were you going to say, Mr. Ogden?”