“Three of us ought to stay behind,” he added. “That will give sufficient protection for each other, and provide a sure safeguard against surprise. Also, that leaves five of us to go after Lupo. Four of us can go in that bigger of our canoes easily, without any baggage. It carried three of us, with baggage, so far, MacDonald can go in his kayak. So we can hit a fast pace, and make speed at the portages, if any are necessary.”
“Who do you intend to leave behind, Dad?” asked Jack quietly.
Mr. Hampton realized from his son’s tone that Jack understood his thoughts.
“Well, you three boys would be the natural ones to be selected,” he said.
“Oh, I say,” protested Bob.
“That’s not fair, Mr. Hampton,” cried Frank.
Jack was silent. He knew his father. Close association of the motherless boy with the older man since boyhood had attuned their minds. He understood how troubled his father was over the possibility of running them into danger. And he decided he would not add to his difficulties, but would keep quiet, although inwardly he felt dismayed at the prospect of “missing the fun.”
“You see how it is, fellows,” said Mr. Hampton, and he proceeded to elaborate on the theme furnished him by Farnum. “It’s a post of honor and danger combined.”
Bob and Frank, however, were not convinced. They started anew to protest But Jack silenced them.
“All right, fellows, let’s be sports,” he said. “If the older heads decide they don’t need us, we won’t force ourselves on them.”