“I’m with you.”
Most unexpected to them at the time they began, the “awhile” proved for a year. Jack had not dreamed he should stay so long, but his previous experience had left him penniless, and with his fixed determination to try again, he knew he would not be able to find so good an opportunity to earn the needed money to begin renewed operations. During those days Jack sent several letters to his folks and to Jenny. In return he received a letter from his father, stating that all was now going fairly well with the family and if he wanted to stay in South America he could do so. Mr. North also sent the information that Fowler & Company had gone into the hands of a receiver and there was no telling whether the business would be continued or not, and Jack need not expect any back pay from the concern.
From Jenny Jack heard not a word, much to his anxiety and dismay. The fact was that Jenny’s folks had moved to another town and she had not received Jack’s letters, and consequently did not know exactly where he was.
“I suppose she has forgotten all about me,” he thought, with a sigh. “Well, I suppose I ought to go back, but I hate to do it before I’ve managed to get some money together. There’s a fortune in that nitrate and I know it, and some day I’ll get hold of it.”
Very much to Jack’s surprise they were not molested very much by the bush-raiders, whose power seemed to have been checked by the advance of the opposing armies, for the war was still carried on, though in a sort of desultory manner, as if each side was afraid of the others. Jack could foresee that the Chilians were pretty sure to secure that portion of the country before they got through. Plum Plucky had stood by his friend all of this time, and they had met with some thrilling experiences, but come out of them safely.
Jack saved his money like a miser, and with undimmed faith in his ultimate success bought five more nitrate beds, to be laughed at by his friend.
“Should think you would want to look after ’em loads you have got over on the Andes,” Plum would frequently say.
Each time Jack remained silent.
“Say, Jack,” Plum would then invariably say, “don’t yeou s’pose ’em oxen are getting hungry by this time?”
Still the other held his peace.