Then he went on blowing his cloud, and the boys relapsed into silence.
Each was thinking his own thoughts. But they started up at last.
"I've managed to secure a grand healthy appetite!" cried Roland.
"And so has this pale-faced boy," said Bill, shoving his great thumb as usual into the bowl of his meerschaum.
So back to camp they started.
Brawn had been on duty not far from Mr. Peter's tent, but he bounded up now with a joyful bark, and rushed forward to meet them.
He displayed as much love and joy as if he had not seen them for a whole month.
For ten days longer the expedition struggled onwards.
The work was hard enough, but it really strengthened their hearts and increased the size of their muscles, till both their calves and biceps were as hard and tough as the stays of a battle-ship.
Some people might think it strange, but it is a fact nevertheless, that the stronger they grew the happier and more hopeful were they. We may try to account for this physiologically or psychologically as we choose, but the great truth remains.