"No, my dear Wolston, anyone rather than you," M. Zermatt replied. "You must go with us to Sugar-cane Grove and Prospect Hill, because of all that is to be done there in the future. But if one of the boys is willing to stay with his mother I shall have no more anxiety. That has been done several times before. Now Jack——"
Jack, who could hardly keep back a smile, looked slyly at Ernest.
"What!" he exclaimed. "Is it me you ask to stay at home? Would you deprive a hunter of such an opportunity of hunting big game? If anyone has to stay at Rock Castle, why should it be I rather than Ernest?"
"Ernest or Jack, it is all the same," M. Zermatt answered. "Is it not so, Mrs. Wolston?"
"Certainly, M. Zermatt."
"And with Ernest to keep you company, you would not be afraid, nor you, Betsy, nor you, Hannah, dear?"
"Not a bit afraid," replied the girl, blushing a little.
"Speak up then, Ernest," Jack said. "You don't say if that plan suits you?"
The plan did suit Ernest, and M. Zermatt could feel every confidence in that serious young man, who was as careful as he was brave.
The start had been arranged for the following day. At dawn, M. Zermatt, Mr. Wolston, and Jack said good-bye, promising to make their absence as brief as possible.