“We will have to go well equipped,” he said. “For I know but little of the towns in the interior. At the time I visited here before they amounted to but little, so far as being able to buy what one wished was concerned. They kept plenty of goods for the native trade, but those things wouldn’t suit you.”
“No, I’d rather stick to what I’m used to,” said Sam. “It’s enough to go into a strange country among a strange people, without putting up with things to wear and use with which you are unacquainted.”
At Port-of-Spain the boys all received letters from home and sent long communications in return. They related all their various adventures but touched lightly upon the perils encountered.
“It’s no use of scaring the folks to death,” was the way in which Mark put it. “What’s past is past, and let that end it.”
“That’s true,” said Darry. “Besides, if we said too much our folks might write to us to come home on the next steamer.”
The only one of the party who was at all downcast was Hockley. This youth had hoped to meet Dan Markel and get back at least some of his property. Now he felt that the chance of doing this was slipping away forever.
“By the time we get back to the coast he’ll be gone for good—and nobody will know where,” he said.
“Well, why don’t you go back to Caracas and hunt for him,” returned Frank. “We’re not compelling you to go along.”
“Oh, don’t blow about it,” cried Hockley, angrily. “I’ll do what I please, without advice from you.”
“The man may turn up yet,” put in Mark. “I don’t think he’d come to Venezuela without he had some object in so doing.”