“Is there game out there?” asked Ned, eagerly.
“Oh, yes,” answered the Westerner. “Rocky Mountain goats, bears, and an occasional mountain lion or two. And plenty of small game.”
“Good!” cried Ned. “We’ll have some fun, even if we don’t get the nuggets!”
“But you want to get them!” insisted his father, who was at the conference. “That’s what we’re depending on you for. The syndicate doesn’t want to lose money!”
“Oh, we’ll get ’em!” declared Jerry, confidently.
The preparations went on rapidly, and were soon about done. The motorship had been forwarded in sections and a supply of gasoline arranged for in Kabspell. Ostensibly it was given out that the boys and their friends were going to help Professor Snodgrass hunt for luminous snakes, and other strange forms of animal life, and the scientist was not at all unwilling to head such an important expedition.
“And from now on,” warned Jerry, when they were about ready to depart, “not a word about the sixty nuggets of gold unless we have to mention them. There’s no telling who may be listening.”
“That’s right!” agreed his chums.
They were at the Cresville station. The last good-byes had been said, their baggage sent on ahead, and they were to begin the long trip to the border land. Andy Rush was there, looking wistful, for he would have liked to accompany his friends. Professor Snodgrass was wandering about, looking for new bugs, and hardly assuming the character of the leader of the expedition. But that did not so much matter now.
Suddenly, there appeared in the open door of the station a very stout woman, carrying a valise and much wrapped up in a large shawl. Her eyes roved over the group of travelers, and lighted on the form of Harvey Brill. Then with a shrill cry she rushed toward him, exclaiming: