[CHAPTER XIII]
IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY
Ned and Hoop and The Fungus came back in time for dinner rather tired of body but undismayed of spirit. They brought a new assortment of “genuine” arrowheads and many highly colored post-cards. And The Fungus had purchased a photograph frame fashioned of wood with views of Indian Head on it. This, he stated, he meant to give to someone at Christmas. He was rather vague as to the identity of the future recipient and Spud got alarmed and announced carelessly that personally he didn’t care for Christmas presents.
“Of course it’s a perfectly good photograph frame, Fungus, and all that. And it looks quite expensive, too. I suppose you had to give as much as five cents for it.”
“You run away and play,” answered The Fungus indignantly. “It cost fifty cents, didn’t it, Ned?”
“Really?” exclaimed Spud. “I don’t see how they can sell them for that!” An ambiguous remark that caused The Fungus much speculation.
The trio were full of their trip and took turns narrating their adventures during dinner until at last Sandy voiced the sentiment of the rest of the company.
“Write it out, Hoop,” he said wearily, “and send it to Copenhagen. You talk so much about it I don’t believe you ever got to Indian Head.”
“That’s right, don’t give it all to us now, Hoop,” said Dutch. “Keep it and deliver a lecture in the Town Hall. I thought you were going along, Cal.”
“I was, but—I changed my mind. I cal’late my discoveries are more important than theirs,” he added meaningly.