"What brings you here, Pete?" asked Jack, sharply. "I thought you were
at camp, getting dinner for my guests." He indicated the boys and Mr.
Temple, who stood close at hand, looking on. "Who will prepare dinner
for them now?"
Gabby Pete, the talkative camp cook, scratched his head under his
sombrero, and looked solemn. "Waal, they'll have ter wait a bit," he
said. "But I kin rustle grub in a hurry onct I git back ter camp. An',
anyhow, Mr. Jack, a feller came to camp a while ago in one o' them
there aeryoplanes. Jest flew up almost to the door an' steps out an'
gin me this yere letter." Here Gabby Pete produced a missive from the
front of his shirt, and passed it to Jack. "He sez as how it war most
partickler that you git it right away. So I rid in with it," said
Gabby Pete, adding aggrievedly: "an' now you hop on me fur it."
Jack seized the missive in a sudden fever of anxiety. An airplane? He
opened the letter, took in its contents at a glance, and turned
excitedly to his chums.
"Father's held for ransom," he cried. "Here. Read this."
CHAPTER IX
ON THE DESERT TRAIL
Eagerly Mr. Temple, Bob and Frank gathered around Jack, crowding to
read over his shoulders the missive left at camp by a messenger in an
airplane and brought to Ransome by Gabby Pete, the camp cook,
following Jack, who had gone to the little New Mexican town to meet
the party from the East.
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