[CHAPTER IV.]
OVER THE RIO GRANDE.
A week later, during which there had been busy days at the mining camp, the boys received answers to their letters. They came in the shape of telegrams, for the lads had asked their parents to wire instead of waiting to write. Each one received permission to make the trip into the land of the Montezumas.
“Hurrah!” yelled Bob, making an ineffectual attempt to turn a somersault, and coming down all in a heap.
“What’s the matter?” asked Nestor, coming out of the cabin. “Wasp sting ye?”
“We can go to Mexico!” cried Ned, waving the telegram.
“Same thing,” replied the miner. “Ye’ll git bit by sand fleas, tarantulas, scorpions, centipedes, horse-flies an’ rattlesnakes, down there. Better stay here.”
“Is it as bad as that?” asked Bob.
“If it is I’ll get the finest collection of bugs the college ever saw,” put in Professor Snodgrass.