Of course, if anyone
feels foolish about going--"
"I do, for one," speaks up Auntie, "and I should think you would, too,
Matthew Ellins. We've been told how silly we are enough times
to-night, haven't we?"
"We have," says Old Hickory. "Which is just why I propose to see this
thing through."
"And I am quite as stubborn as you are," says Auntie. "That is why I
am going, too."
Vee and I didn't put up any apologies. We just trailed along silent.
As for Rupert, he'd been kicked around so much the last few days that
he hadn't a word to say. Here he was, too, right on the verge of the
big test that he'd been workin' up to so long, and he's so meek he
hardly dares open his head. When we starts pilin' into the launch he
shows up with a couple of bundles.
"What the syncopated seraphims have you there?" demands Old Hickory.
"Gas bombs," says Rupert. "To clear out the snakes."
"Careful with 'em," growls Old Hickory. "What else?"
"A few canvas bags for--for the treasure, sir," says Rupert, duckin'
his head sheepish. "Shall--shall I put them in?"
"Oh, you might as well," says Old Hickory.
And once more, with Vee at the wheel, we sneaks off in the moonlight
for Nunca Secos Key. We wasn't a chatty lot of adventurers.
Pages:
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242