Beecher
goes on the theory that all is fair in love and
war, I suppose, and he may call this a sort of
scientific war."
Ned wondered, as he looked at his chum, how
much love there was in it. Clearly Beecher was
determined to get that idol of gold.
"Well, it can't be helped, and we must make
the best of it," said Tom, after a pause.
"True. But now, boys, let's have breakfast,
and then we'll make what goods we can't take
with us as snug as possible, until we can send
the mule drivers after them," went on Professor
Bumper.
"Send the mule drivers after them?" questioned Ned.
"What do you mean to do?"
"Do? Why keep on, of course. You don't
suppose I'm going to let a little thing like this
stand between me and the discovery of Kurzon
and the idol of gold, do you?"
"But," began Mr. Damon, "I don't see how--"
"Oh, we'll find a way," interrupted Tom. "It
isn't the first time I've been pretty well stranded
on an expedition of this kind, and sometimes
from the same cause--the actions of a rival.
Now we'll turn the tables on the other fellows
and see how they like it. The professor's right
--let's have breakfast. Jacinto seems to have
told the truth. Nothing of ours is missing."
Tom and Ned got the meal, and then a
consultation was held as to what was best to be
done.
"We can't go on any further by water, that's
sure," said Tom. "In the first place the river
is too shallow, and secondly we have no canoes.
So the only thing is to go on foot through the
jungle.
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