It was impossible for either of the boys to go on this important
errand, as both were needed on the spot to set up the balloon. So
it had long since been decided that Elmer was to have charge of this
secondary expedition. And since it was Elmer who would have to
conduct the expedition safely to its destination and establish a
relief camp, the colored boy had been thoroughly coached in his
coming task.
"Kin I?" the boy had said more than once. "When de Cibola gits dar
I'll be dar. And ain't no Indians nor rattlesnakes nor hot weather
goin' to break up dat camp."
And the camp meant gasoline, water, food and a stepping stone back
to civilization, whether the expedition ended in failure or success.
As the boys had already planned that Buck should furnish the wagon
and horses and guide Elmer's caravan, they had asked him to call
that evening to talk it over.
"I'm ready to start, yes, right now," Elmer had said as he served
the good supper over which he had been laboring, "but I does jes
nach'elly hate to turn you young gemmen over to dese greaser cooks.
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