that he has cleared out, thinking
that we might hand him over to the authorities."

"I can't understand what would possess a fellow to do such a dirty thing
as that," was Fred's comment. "Why, he might have blinded Jack, as well
as Ruth. And, by the way, Jack, how do your eyes feel?"

"They feel just about as usual. At first they felt rather scratchy and
watery, but now I haven't noticed anything unusual for some time--in
fact, never since we came down to Texas. But, you see, I got very little
of the pepper. The most of it went over my shoulder and right into poor
Ruth's eyes."

The boys discussed the matter for some time, and then turned to finish
the letters they had started to write. Soon the twins and Fred were deep
in their writing, but Jack could not settle himself to put down a word.
His mind was with Ruth. What if the girl he thought so much of should go
blind? It was a thought that chilled him to the heart.

CHAPTER XXVII

CAUGHT BY THE ENEMY

Dick Rover did not return to the hotel until late that evening. The boys
were waiting for him, and Jack noted that his father's face wore a smile
of satisfaction.

"I think I have struck something worth while," said he. "I have been
over the Franklin claim very carefully with Nick Ogilvie and the two men
he recommended, and as a result I have already telegraphed for Mr. Fitch
to come here."

"Then Ogilvie and the others think there is oil on that claim?"
questioned Randy quickly.

"They say the indications are very good. In fact, one of the men was
very enthusiastic and he was willing to put up five thousand dollars
toward boring a well in one spot that he picked out."

"That certainly shows he must have faith in it," remarked Fred.

"When do you expect Mr. Fitch?" asked Andy.

"I asked him to come over as soon as possible--to-morrow if he could."

"Do you think you can make some kind of a reasonable arrangement with
Mr. Franklin, in case the oil expert's report is good?" asked Jack.

"Yes, I found Mr. Franklin a very fair man. Of course, he would like to
get as much as possible out of any deal that is made. But he is
reasonable, and has agreed to give me entire charge of the matter and
take his pay at the rate of one-eighth of all the oil that may be
produced."

After that Dick Rover went into many of the details concerning the land
and what the different oil men had said regarding it. Of course the boys
were tremendously interested, not only