“If I have my way about it,” Frank said, with an air of determination, “you’ll leave me behind. It would be a poor return for all your kindness if I should get you all murdered.”
“Promise me that you will make no attempt to leave us without my consent.”
“But——”
“Will you promise?”
“Yes, but you don’t know what is ahead of you if I remain on the boat. We are going into a wild and lawless country, and——”
“I understand. See! It is getting light in the east. There will be no further trouble to-night, so we may as well go to bed.”
“I’m afraid I won’t be able to sleep,” suggested Frank.
“Then sit here and watch,” Clay advised, “and remember, old man, I hold you to your promise!”
“You may trust me!”
The voice was low and steady, and Clay knew that the boy meant just what he said, so he went off to bed and slept until nine o’clock. When he came out on deck, rubbing his eyes, all the boys were there save Alex. Case and Frank, mindful of Clay’s wish to get away as early as possible, had attended to getting the supplies on board, and the Rambler was ready to set her nose against the streams leading to the Amazon. Clay learned all this while preparing his breakfast.