“Who are going with you?”
“Well, Mr. Jenks will go, of course, and I've no doubt but that if I mention the prospective trip to Mr. Damon, that he'll bless his skating cap, or something like that, and come along.”
“I suppose so, Tom, and I'd like to have you take him. But I think you'll need some one else.”
“Because, from what you have told me, you are going out to a dangerous part of the country, and you may have to deal with unscrupulous men. Three of you are hardly enough to cope with them. You ought to have at least another member of your party. If I was not busy on my invention of a new wireless motor I would go along, but I can't leave. You might take Mr. Jackson.”
“No, you need him here to help you, dad.”
“How about Eradicate?”
Tom smiled.
“Rad would get homesick for his mule Boomerang, and I'd have to bring him back just when we'd found the diamonds,” replied the young inventor. “No, we'll have to think of some one else. I'll ask Mr. Damon, and then I'll consider matters further. I expect to see Mr. Jenks to-night, and he may have some one in mind.”
“Perhaps that will be a good plan. Well, Tom, I trust you will take good care of yourself, and not run into unnecessary danger. Is the Red Cloud in good shape for the voyage?”
“It needs looking over. I'm going to get right at it.”