Captain Joe was still on sentinel duty, but Case was actually asleep in his chair! The boy was worn out with the excitement and worry of the day. Alex did not disturb him, but sat down by his side and looked longingly off toward Chimney Peak.
“Captain Joe!” he finally whispered.
The dog pricked up his ears and walked sedately up to the boy.
“Will you remain here and watch the boat while I go ashore?” asked Alex, patting the dog on his head. “Will you, old top?”
Captain Joe looked off toward the mountain summit and made no rash promises! He was a wise dog, and knew the ways of boys!
“It is just this way, Captain Joe,” Alex went on, talking to the bulldog as if he understood every word, “it is just this way. Those sleepy heads in the cabin, and this one out on deck, would sleep in the presence of the pyramids! You know it, don’t you?”
The dog said that he did in a tongue which Alex understood.
“Well, then we’ll go ashore and see what that hill is made of,” the boy went on. “We’ll take the rowboat and pay a visit to the Chimney!” It looks pretty classy from here, eh?”
Captain Joe admitted that it did, and the boy got out the rowboat and left the Rambler, the dog sitting in the prow with an air of being necessary to the expedition. The boy and the dog saw adventure ahead and were recklessly, foolishly glad of it!