“A letther!” gasped Barney.
He took the missive, and with Pomp at his shoulder, it was read by both. Frank watched them intently.
It was evident that the letter had made a powerful impression upon them.
“Well!” said Frank, when they had finished. “What do you think of it?”
“Be jabers I’d loike nothing betther than a go at some av them forty foot snakes. Shure it’s a foine thrip that would be fer ther Stheam Man, Misther Frank.”
“Ki dar, Marse Frank!” cried Pomp, with eyes big as moons. “Kain’t say dis chile likes snakes, but yo’ kin jes’ bet he’d like to go dar jes’ de same.”
“Good!” cried Frank, “then if I conclude to go, you’ll be all ready?”
“Yo kin jes’ bet we will.”
“Make no doubt av that.”
“All right,” said Frank, buttoning his coat closer, “be in readiness for I may decide to go.”