"Now the question is whether you will join me?" he said in conclusion. "Having studied the matter so long I feel warranted in saying that it is not an unusually dangerous venture, and, if we are successful, the amount of wealth we can carry away must be enormous."
"It wouldn't take me long to decide," Jake replied promptly; "but seeing that I am in Mr. Emery's employ I couldn't go contrary to his son's orders. As a matter of fact I'm not bound in any way; but it seems to be the only square thing to do."
"And what is your idea?" Cummings asked as he looked toward Teddy.
"Since we can't start for home immediately, I don't see why we shouldn't spend the time in what will be the jolliest kind of an adventure whether there is any gold to be gained or not."
The young man then turned to Neal questioningly, and the latter said hesitatingly:
"It isn't fair for Jake to make me decide. He should know better than I whether we ought to go with you. If it was possible for us to leave the country at once there could be no question, for we must return to the United States at the earliest opportunity."
"And since that cannot be done you have no objections to joining us in the visit to the Silver City?"
"I don't know. You would not go until to-morrow, so we have a chance to discuss the matter among ourselves."
"Very true. I've some work to attend to, and while I am away you will be able to talk privately."
Then Cummings arose, went toward the house and when he disappeared from view Neal said to Jake:
"Now tell me just what you think of going with him; I mean, what you think father would say if we could consult him, not what we would like to do."
"Well, if you put it in that way," and now Jake spoke as if weighing every word, "I can't see why we shouldn't have a little fun, seein's how we're bound to stay here longer than he allows is enough to go to this Silver City an' back. It would be a mean kind of a man who'd object to our havin' enjoyment after all that's happened."
"Then you believe father would approve of our going with Mr. Cummings?"
Jake was not exactly prepared to say "yes," and at the same time he did not wish to reply in the negative after his acquiescence in all the host had advanced as reasons why they should accompany him, and after a long pause Neal added:
