“HOW was that for timing it to a dot?” laughed Bob, after the express driver had left.
“Couldn’t have been better,” said Joe. “Boy! Am I glad that stuff got here!”
Bob placed the big box in the Holton car, and then all made ready for the drive to the railroad station.
They reached their destination with fifteen minutes to spare and at once set about having the baggage sent up to the tracks.
The leavetaking was painful to all, for it was as hard for the four explorers to go as it was for those staying at home to give them up. But finally, with last warm farewells, the youths and their fathers left for the tracks.
“Bring me a lion cub!” called Tommy, Bob’s small brother, shouting to make himself heard.
“I might surprise you, Tom, old man,” Bob shouted back, laughing in spite of himself at his brother’s remark.
With one last wave, the youths and their fathers headed for the tracks, where the Baltimore express was waiting. Red-capped porters brought their baggage up in the rear and placed it on the train. Then the adventurers themselves boarded.
Before long, with a clanging of bells the express puffed out of the station and steamed in the direction of Baltimore. At last the long journey had begun.
For some time both Bob and Joe were silent, watching the country as it whizzed past them. Then, almost before knowing it, they pulled into Baltimore.