Of tins of provisions there were many: condensed foods--German
erbswurst, or army rations of ground peas and meat; dried potatoes;
eggs in powdered form; preserved and salt meats; hard tack; tea and
coffee; flour; and evaporated fruits. The water was already
arranged for and the wagon containing the casks was at Buck's adobe
house.
On the floor of the wagon, packed in bunch grass, were the precious
gasoline casks. On top of all came the silk waterproof tent and the
camp equipage. Stowed under the seat was the box containing spare
flags, a heliograph, part of a wireless telephone outfit (the other
part was to be carried in the balloon) and compass. Two magazine
rifles and ammunition were included in the outfit, and Elmer donned
for the first time in his life a belt and holster to carry one of
the magazine revolvers that Ned had bought on the day when he first
told Alan what he had undertaken to do.
By the time this work was done it was day. Then came breakfast,
which Elmer insisted on preparing. He even demanded that he be
given time to make hot biscuits.
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