"But we'd have to cart them around with us for months, maybe," said Joe, "on the slim chance of using part of the things one night. We don't need 'em."
"But I want to do something for you boys!" the Spaniard insisted. "I am so grateful to you—"
"We know that, by this time," declared Blake. "Please don't get anything more," for their friend had already bought them some things for their steamer trip.
"Ah, well then, if you insist," agreed the generous one, "but if ever you come to my country, all that I own is yours. I am ever in your debt."
"Oh, you mustn't feel that way about it," Blake assured him. "After all, you might have saved yourself."
"Hardly," returned the Spaniard, and he shuddered as he recalled how near he had been to death on the bridge.
But now he and Blake and Joe were safely on a steamer on their way to Panama. The weather was getting rather cool, for though it was only early November the chill of winter was beginning to make itself felt.
"But we'll soon be where it's warm enough all the year around," said Joe to Blake, as they arranged their things in the stateroom.
"That's right," said his chum. "It will be a new experience for us. Not quite so much jungle, I hope, as the dose we had of it when we went after the wild animals."
"No, and I'm glad of it," responded Joe. "That was a little too much at times. Yet there is plenty of jungle in Panama."