The fact that the engine had fallen below expectations brought the Sun Planters' food problem into prominence again. When Elsa had begun housekeeping for the men she had protested over the meagerness and the simplicity of the food supplies. But Roger had explained their situation frankly and Elsa had proceeded to make good German magic over the canned food of which the camp had been so weary.
"The Lord knows," exclaimed Ernest at the breakfast table one morning, "how long we'll be tied up in this Hades. If Roger's begun puttering on the engine we may be here ten years."
"This isn't Hades, Ern!" exclaimed Elsa. "I'm having the time of my life."
"I notice that Dick's down here a good deal," said Ernest, slyly, "and I suppose that adds to the hilarity of the nations."
"By the way," Elsa ignored her brother except for a blush, "what are we going to do about the food problem, Ern? All the cotton-tails and quail that Gustav shoots, won't keep us much longer."
"Do you suppose Hackett would let us run a bill with him and take a mortgage on the outfit here as security? Of course, I haven't any right to give a mortgage but I'll explain the whole situation to him." Roger's voice had a desperate note in it.
"Well, that is worth the try, eh?" said Gustav. "Me, I might borrow a little yet, from a friend in the East."
"You'll do nothing of the kind, Gustav," exclaimed Roger. "You're far from home and you may need all your borrowing power for yourself--not but what I appreciate your offer, old man!"
"I've got a little--my fare home and about a hundred beside," offered Elsa.
"Keep it, old girl," Roger's voice was husky. "By Jove, I may be poor in everything else, but I'm rich in friends. Ern, what do you think of my suggestion?"
"Well, I hate debt worse than anything in the world. But we're in this thing up to our necks and I'm willing to try anything that's honest. If Hackett knows the whole story--"
"He knows it now, I guess, but I'll give him all the details. I may as well go in to-day and get a yes or no at once."
"I'll go," said Ernest. "I'd like to and you'd better not lose a day."
Roger nodded in a relieved manner.
"Listen! There goes the Lemon!" exclaimed Elsa. "I do hope she goes to-day."
"Put! Put!" came over the desert. "Put! Put! Put!"
"I guess she's launched and I've got a clear day for work." Roger rose as he spoke. "Dick's having a struggle to get enough water for that second five acres of his. He insists that he's going ahead with the next five, though."