But now that she had made up her mind to go to Africa and ascertain the truth, or fallacy, of the tale which had just reached her, she felt a little hesitancy in broaching the subject to her friends. But she was not the one to be intimidated so easily, so went direct to the library, where she knew that Mr. Graham and Harry, the son, would be, and opened the subject at once.
“Uncle,” she said (she always called her second parents uncle and aunt), “I am going to Africa, and will want your help.”
Mr. Graham’s glasses fell from his nose, so suddenly did he look up.
“To Africa,” said he; “Well, has it come to this.”
“Exactly,” said Enola. “Now don’t look as if I had declared my intention of committing suicide, although in your eyes I suppose the two are synonymous.”
“When do you start?” asked Mr. Graham. Having long since learned that to cross Enola was to make her the more determined to carry out her own plans.
“To-day or to-morrow, or as soon as you can make preparations. Now remember, I am only suggesting this adventure; you are the real instigator of the project, and have asked me to accompany you, you know.”
“Well, if that isn’t a woman for you,” said Mr. Graham, laughing in spite of himself. “You come here declaring your intention of going to Africa, asking my help and then tell me that it is I who must assume all responsibility. Well, I will do it for your sake, but I hope it is not to be out of the regular beaten paths of travel in Africa, for it might not be pleasant, you know, fighting hostile natives with a woman about.” And Mr. Graham again laughed.
“The woman will take care of herself, never fear,” said Enola. “But seriously, uncle, I never would have asked you to accompany me on this journey, but for your having spoken some time ago of your intention of going to France to spend your vacation, and the thought occurred to me that you might care to go with me for two reasons. First, of course, to be my escort, and secondly, because the adventure would please you. And as for the danger, from what I can glean from Mr. Boyd’s letter, I should say that we will not meet with any great amount of this, for, from the coast to the mountains, the road leads through a comparatively open country, and if we start now we will get to Zanzibar about the right time to enter the interior. I anticipate but very little trouble in reaching the mountains. What will happen after that I cannot say.”
“The adventure will just suit my ideas of such things,” said Mr. Graham, “and I will go with you gladly. And you want to start immediately?”