"I accept, Mrs. Weldon; I accept with eagerness," replied Harris, gayly.
"In a few minutes our breakfast will be ready."
"Good, Mrs. Weldon. I am going to profit by those ten minutes to go and get my horse and bring it here. He will have breakfasted, he will."
"Do you want me to go with you, sir?" asked Dick Sand.
"As you please, my young friend," replied Harris. "Come; I shall make you acquainted with the lower course of this river."
Both set out.
During this time, Hercules was sent in search of the entomologist. Faith, Cousin Benedict was very uneasy indeed about what was passing around him.
He was then wandering on the summit of the cliff in quest of an "unfindable" insect, which, however, he did not find.
Hercules brought him back against his will. Mrs. Weldon informed him that departure was decided upon, and that, for ten days, they must travel to the interior of the country.
Cousin Benedict replied that he was ready to set out, and that he would not ask better than to cross America entirely, provided they would let him "collect" on the way.