"
"Isn't he a queer man," said Olivia, as they followed along behind Mr.
Snodgrass, who was walking ahead, closely scanning the ground.
"He is, but he's a good friend of ours," replied Ned. "He is very much
in earnest over his collection of insects and reptiles, and, though he
acts queerly at times, he is one of the best men in the world."
"I'm sure he must be," agreed Olivia. "I like him very much. I hope he
stays a long time, and I hope you boys do also. It's quite lonesome
here, with nothing but Mexicans and Chinese for the main part of the
population."
"We'll stay as long as you let us," said Ned.
"We can have fine times," went on the girl. "We can go boating on the
little bay, and take trips off into the country. We, ourselves,
haven't seen much of it yet, as papa was not feeling well when we
first came, and we had to stay home and care for him. But he is better
now, and we can go on little excursions.
Ned's harmless trick to get the party to a shady spot was successful.
The professor headed for the little clump of trees looking, the while,
for a horned toad, but he saw none of the queer creatures.
"My, but it's hot!" exclaimed Bob, as he sat down on the ground.
"Oh, it will be worse than this, some days," said Rose. "We are
getting used to it. But suppose we go down to the seashore? It's not
far, and there is a very pretty view."
"Perhaps I can get a horned toad there," put in the professor
hopefully.
After a short rest in the shade the little party headed for the beach.
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