“Of course I would,” replied Bob. “But we’ve got one gold mine now, what do we want of another?”
“It might be well to have a second in case we lose the first,” Jerry ventured. “Nothing like having plenty while you’re at it.”
“I wouldn’t like to be a hermit,” went on Bob. “Think of always being hungry.”
“Chunky is thinking of misers, I guess,” laughed Ned. “There’s nothing to prevent a hermit from living off the fat of the land. If it wasn’t for being lonesome I’d be a hermit for a while.”
“Stop the auto!” called the professor suddenly. “I just saw a fine specimen of a snapping turtle scoot across the road. I must have it. It’s worth about twenty dollars to me. Stop the car! I must get out!”
Ned, who was running the auto, shut off the power and the machine came to a stop. Before it had ceased to move Mr. Snodgrass had leaped out and was running back. He began a hurried but careful search over the ground. Then he was seen to spring forward.
“He’s got it, I guess,” remarked Jerry.
An instant later there came a howl from the scientist, who was hidden from sight by the tall grass.
“Help, boys! Help!”