His father, when acquainted with the project, shook his head wistfully and said:
“I only wish I was as young and supple as I once was. How I’d like to go along!”
Barney and Pomp were over-enthusiastic over the project.
They were on hand promptly and assisted in the preparations.
The wagon was quite spacious and would carry a good deal. Provisions of a portable kind were packed, and plenty of ammunition.
Frank took care also to supply himself with drugs, for he did not forget that it was a malarial country that he was going to.
One thing was much in their favor, and that was the season of the year, it being winter.
Naturally the climate would not be so hot as in mid-summer.
When the report was spread that Frank Reade, Jr., and his Steam Man were going to Central America, the whole country was deeply interested.
The newspapers contained sketches of the young inventor and his famous machine.