Part 25 (1/2)
”What!” exclaimed the boys in one voice.
”You heard me. If Professor Zepplin has not returned by to-morrow morning I'm off for a.s.sistance and a fresh supply of food.”
”And leave us here alone?” cried Chunky.
”Don't you see, fellows,” continued Tad, ”the Professor undoubtedly is in a worse fix than we are. He may wander about the mountains until he starves. I've simply got to stir somebody up to start out hunting for him. By remaining here we are only getting deeper into trouble.
Don't you understand that?”
”Yes,” admitted Ned. ”But, then, why not let us all go with you?”
”Yes, that's the idea,” interjected Walter.
”No, that is not good judgment.”
”Why not?”
”In the first place some one must remain here to watch our outfit. We don't want to lose anything more than we have.”
The boys nodded.
”Secondly, the Professor might possibly find his way back here, and the chances are he would lose himself again trying to find us.”
”That's so,” chorused the boys.
”And thirdly, as the Professor says, I can get along a lot faster alone than if you are all with me.”
”Fellows, I understand why our friend Tad Butler wears a hat a size and a half larger than any of us--his head's bigger. Yes, you're right, Tad.”
”Yes, yes,” shouted Walter and Stacy, ”that's the reason.”
”And don't I get all I want to eat until he-he--until Tad gets back?”
”That depends upon how much you want. Judging from past experience, I should say you wouldn't,” replied Ned.
”But what will happen to us if you get lost, Tad?”
”Yes, yes, that's what I want to know?” questioned Ned.
”I'll see that I don't.”
”How?”
”This time I am going to blaze every tree I pa.s.s, with my hunting knife. It will enable me to get back if I fail to find the way, and it also will serve to guide the men here, if I find any to return with me.”
”I take off my hat to you,” exclaimed Ned.
”How many eggs have we left, Ned?”
”A dozen hard boiled ones, I think.”