121“Like the squaw, you’ve got another guess coming. I’m going to send those moccasins to my aunt in Chillicothe.”
This was an unusual thing to do. Stacy usually thought of himself, but seldom of others. Tad called to the other boys to tell them the news. They examined the moccasins gravely.
At this juncture the Professor beckoned to the boys to come into the store, which they did after hastily staking down their stock.
“This gentleman says he thinks he can get us a guide,” announced the Professor. “I tell him we must have a reliable one, for we know absolutely nothing about the country from here on.”
“Black or white?” questioned Stacy.
“Oh, black, of course. There are no white guides up here. I think this one was out with a government surveying party once,” said the store-keeper.
“He should do very well, then,” nodded the Professor, well pleased.
“What’s good enough for our Uncle Sam surely should be good enough for us,” agreed Ned Rector. “What do you say, Chunky?”
“I decline to commit myself. I’ve been taken in on guides before this. Trot out your guide and, after I’ve tried him out, I’ll tell you what I think of him. In buying guides I follow the 122same tactics that Tad Butler does in purchasing horses.”
“Oh, you do, eh?” jeered Ned.