"I was just about to suggest that we break camp at daylight, traveling until the sun gets hot. We can then pitch a tent or two during the middle of the day, and rest for a few hours."
"Why not keep on all day?" asked the lad.
"It would prove too great a strain—both on man and beast. At noon we will eat a cold lunch, as too much food in this heat is not good for us. You will find the temperature rising as you get further south, and the hardships increasing in proportion."
"We shall not fall by the wayside," laughed the boy.
"No; I am convinced of that. You lads are as tough as pine knots, but you will need all the endurance you have for this trip."
"If we are going to turn out so early, I think you boys had better go to bed pretty soon," advised the Professor.
"That's why I asked you, sir. I rather thought Mr. Parry would wish to make an early start in the morning. I'll see to the ponies; then I'll go to bed."
"Never mind the ponies. I'll look after them," answered Parry.
"That boy is a splendid type," he continued to the Professor, after Tad had walked away from them to notify his companions of the plans for the morrow.
"They all are," answered the Professor.