“I see you have your firearms with you,” remarked Mark, as he gazed at a rifle and a double-barreled shotgun standing in a corner. “We were wondering if we were to go armed.”
“I shouldn’t feel at home without my guns,” returned the professor with a smile. “You see that comes from being a confirmed old hunter. I don’t anticipate any use for them except when I go hunting. As for your going armed, I have already arranged with your parents about that. I shall take a shotgun for each, also a pistol, for use when we are in the wilds of the upper Orinoco.”
“Will you lead us on a regular hunt?” asked Darry, eagerly.
“I will if you’ll promise to behave and not get into unnecessary difficulties.”
“We’ll promise,” came from all.
“I have been making a number of purchases,” continued Professor Strong. “But I must make a number more, and if you wish you can go along and help me make the selections.”
“Is Glummy—I mean is Jake Hockley coming up here?” questioned Mark.
“I expected him to come with you. Isn’t he stopping with one of you?”
“No, he’s stopping at the Astor House,” came from Frank.
There was an awkward pause, which was very suggestive, and the professor noted it. With his gun in hand he faced the four.