Part 16 (2/2)
His own voice had had to be cleared continually. To all the letter was like a message from the grave.
”And that is all?” questioned d.i.c.k, breaking the silence.
”That is all, my boy--and the letter was written about a year ago!”
”But we'll go in search of him!” put in Tom, quickly. ”He may be alive yet.”
”I thought I would go,” answered Randolph Rover, ”and I thought, possibly, that I might take d.i.c.k with me.”
”Oh, you must take me too!” burst out Tom. ”I could never bear to be left behind.”
”And you must take me,” interrupted Sam. ”We always go together, you know.”
At this talk Randolph Rover was somewhat taken aback. ”All!” he cried. ”Why, what would three boys do in the heart of Africa?”
”Look for father!” cried Tom. ”I shan't stay behind--you can't make me!” he went on half defiantly.
”We have been through lots of adventures, uncle, you know that,”
came from Sam. ”We are not afraid.”
”But the danger, boys--” began the uncle.
”What danger wouldn't we face for father's sake!” said Tom. ”I'd go through fire and water for him.”
”You had better let us all go,” said d.i.c.k.
”If you don't let Tom and Sam go, why, the chances are they'll--”
”Run away and go anyway,” finished Sam.
”Oh, Uncle Randolph, say we can go; please do!”
At this enthusiasm the uncle smiled sadly.
”All-right, boys; as you are bound to have it so, you shall all go. But don't blame me if the perils are greater than you antic.i.p.ate, and if the undertaking costs one or more of you your lives.”
CHAPTER XII.
OFF FOR AFRICA
It was long after midnight before the conversation in relation to the proposed trip to Africa came to an end. Mrs. Rover insisted that the boys should eat something, and they sat around the table discussing the viands and the two letters at the same time.
”Have you any idea where this Niwili Camp is?” asked d.i.c.k of his uncle.
”It is on the Congo, but how far froth the mouth of that stream is a question, lad. Probably we can learn all about it when we reach Boma, the capital of the Congo Free State.”
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