“That’s the only thing that’ll satisfy you?” the former asked, his mind working rapidly.
The young men nodded.
“We’ll be careful and do all we can for the good of the expedition,” said Bob anxiously. “Please arrange to take us along.”
There was a period of suspense. Then the men looked at each other.
“What will we say?” Joe’s father asked, totally undecided.
Mr. Holton had been mentally debating the subject. Now he was ready for an answer.
“Let’s let them go,” he said. “They’re as big and strong as we and are usually equal to any crisis. You see what they did to this gang of men. Shows they are resourceful, and that’s what you have to be in a strange land where danger lurks at every step. In my opinion they’d be a valuable asset to the expedition.”
The youths looked at Mr. Holton gratefully. They felt that the battle was nearly half won.
For nearly a minute Mr. Lewis was silent. Then he spoke with decision.
“I think you’re right, Howard,” he said. “We’ll have a talk with their mothers this afternoon, and I am of the opinion that they’ll give their consent if we go at them right.”