“Pshaw!” exclaimed Stanhope; “do you think I am a soft head? Have I braved the life of the deadly jungle and the pestilential rivers of India to stand in fear of death in such a manner? Have I your permission?”
Frank shook the explorer’s hand.
“Certainly,” he said, warmly. “I shall be very glad of your company. I am going home now to begin work on my new venture. When it is completed I will wire you to come.”
“That settles it!” cried Stanhope. “I will live in expectation.”
“It may require many weeks to perfect the boat.”
“All right. I will live in patience.”
Thus the two men parted.
They were kindred spirits though each was cast in a different mold. The inventor and the explorer; how fitting it was that they should affiliate.
Stanhope proceeded at once to New York where he was to fulfill a lecture course on Africa.
Frank Reade, Jr., went straight to Readestown, where he at once closeted himself, and for several days was hardly seen.