Oil! by Upton Sinclair

Eli moved up the lane, the car following. There was a big live oak tree with a clear space underneath, and Dad placed the car so that the lights streamed upon the space -- you never needed to worry about darkness, when you were camping with a car! They stopped, and Bunny slid over the top of his door, and went to work on the straps which held the big bundle to the running-board. He had it off in a jiffy, and unrolled it, and quite magical were the things which came out of it. There was a tent, made of such light waterproofed silk that a structure eight feet square rolled up to a bundle which might have been a suit of clothes. There were the tent poles, made in several joints which screwed together; and the stakes, and a little camp hatchet to drive them with. There were three warm camping-blankets, besides the waterproof cover, which also made a blanket. There were two pneumatic pillows, and a pneumatic mattress, which you sat and puffed at until you were red in the face -- it was great sport! Finally there was a canvas bag containing a set of camp utensils, all made of aluminum, and fitting one into another, everything with detachable handles; and aluminum boxes with several compartments for grub. When all these things were set in order, you could be as comfortable in the midst of a desert or on top of a mountain as in the best hotel room.

Mr. Watkins told Eli to help, but Dad said never mind, they knew jist what to do, and it was easy. So then Mr. Watkins told Eli to fetch a pail of water; and next he asked if they'd like some milk -- they had only goat's milk, of course. Dad said that was fine; and Bunny was transported to the Balkans, or whatever exciting places he had read about, where the people live on goat's milk. Mr. Watkins said for Ruth to go git some; and Bunny was thrilled again, because Ruth was the sister that Paul loved, and that he said had "sense. " Mr. Watkins called after her to fatch some "aigs" too; and Dad said they'd like some bread -- and then Bunny got a shock, for the old man said they didn't git no bread, they hadn't room to raise grain, and corn didn't fill out good up here in the hills, so all they had was taters. And Dad said potatoes would do jist as good, they'd boil some for supper; and Mr. Watkins said they'd git 'em quicker if the missus was to bile 'em on the stove -- thus showing a complete misapprehension of the significance of a camping-trip. Dad said no, they'd want a fire anyway; and Mr. Watkins said they was gettin' a nip o' frost every night now, and for Eli to rustle 'em up a lot of wood. This was easily done, for as soon as you went a few feet up the side of the arroyo you came upon desert brush, much of which was dead and dry, and Eli tore some of the bushes loose and dragged them down and broke them to pieces over his knee. Then he fetched a couple of stones -- that also was easy, for you could hardly walk a dozen feet on the Watkins ranch without hitting your toe on a stone.