Page:Betty Gordon in the Land of Oil.djvu/108

98 we saw the first time we went to Uncle Dick's wells—remember? I think that is what worries Dave—some of those small holders have tempers like porcupines and they always think some one is infringing on their rights. Let one of 'em get mad and take it out on Dave, and there might be a four-alarm fire without much trouble."

"Do you know what I miss more than anything else?" asked Betty, when the horses' heads were turned and they were on their way to the north section. "You'll never guess—ice-cream soda! I haven't had one for weeks—not since we left Chicago."

"And I guess it will be some more weeks before you get another," said Bob. "Ice doesn't seem to be known out here, does it? Did you see how the butter swam about under that hot kitchen lamp last night? We used to think the Peabodys were stingy because they wouldn't use butter, but I'd rather have none than have it so soft."

They reached the north section and found Dave Thorne directing the drilling of a well which he told them was expected to "come in" that morning.

"Bob, I wonder if you'd do an errand for me?" he inquired. "I have to go back to the pumping station, and I want to send a record book back to one of the men here. Will you ride back with me and get the book? Betty will be all right, and