“Suppose we turn in, boys,” suggested Mr. Holton. “If we get to bed early, we can be up early. And the sooner we put ashore and make arrangements for our exploration venture, the sooner we can be on our way into the heart of Africa.”
The heart of Africa! Bob and Joe thrilled at mention of this. Often had they longed for such a venture into the Dark Continent, but not until now had that longing been satisfied.
The chums needed no urging to follow Mr. Holton’s suggestion to retire, for they desired to be up early the next morning.
“I don’t know whether I can sleep or not, though,” laughed Bob, as he and his friend walked to their stateroom. “I’m afraid I’ll be thinking too much about Africa. Think of it, Joe. We’re here—in Africa!”
“Not quite,” Joe reminded him. “We’re still on the Zanzibar, don’t forget.”
“Gosh! That’s right. I almost forgot.”
The boys slept soundly, but because they had set their “mental alarm clocks,” as Joe called it, they awoke before six in the morning.
But if they considered themselves “early-birds,” they were to throw away the title promptly when they caught sight of their fathers standing on deck with their baggage.
“How in the dickens did you manage to get up so early?” demanded Joe. “You must have got out of bed at four to have brought all that stuff out here.”
“We’ll have a big day before us, boys,” said Mr. Holton. “Let’s leave the ship at once.”