“Tom, my friends,” replied Dick Sand, turning to the blacks, “it only remains for us to make preparations for departure.  Let us select, then, from among the provisions on hand, those which can be most easily transported, and let us make packs, of which each will take his share.”

“Mr. Dick,” said Hercules, “if you wish, I shall carry the whole load very well.”

“No, my brave Hercules,” replied the novice; “it will be better for us all to share the burden.”

“You are a strong companion, Hercules,” then said Harris, who looked at the negro as if the latter were for sale.  “In the markets of Africa you would be worth a good price.”

“I am worth what I am worth,” replied Hercules, laughing, “and the buyers will only have to run well, if they wish to catch me.”

All was agreed upon, and to hasten the departure, each went to work.  However, they had only to think of feeding the little troop for the journey from the sea-coast to the farm, that is to say, for a march of ten days.

“But, before setting out, Mr. Harris,” said Mrs. Weldon, “before accepting your hospitality, I beg you to accept ours.  We offer it to you with our best wishes.”

“I accept, Mrs. Weldon; I accept with eagerness,” replied Harris, gayly.

“In a few minutes our breakfast will be ready.”

“Good, Mrs. Weldon.  I am going to profit by those ten minutes to go and get my horse and bring it here.  He will have breakfasted, he will.”

“Do you want me to go with you, sir?” asked Dick Sand.

“As you please, my young friend,” replied Harris.  “Come; I shall make you acquainted with the lower course of this river.”

Both set out.

During this time, Hercules was sent in search of the entomologist.  Faith, Cousin Benedict was very uneasy indeed about what was passing around him.

He was then wandering on the summit of the cliff in quest of an “unfindable” insect, which, however, he did not find.

Hercules brought him back against his will.  Mrs. Weldon informed him that departure was decided upon, and that, for ten days, they must travel to the interior of the country.

Cousin Benedict replied that he was ready to set out, and that he would not ask better than to cross America entirely, provided they would let him “collect” on the way.

Mrs. Weldon then occupied herself, with Nan’s assistance, in preparing a comfortable repast—­a good precaution before setting out.

During this time, Harris, accompanied by Dick Sand, had turned the angle of the cliff.  Both followed the high bank, over a space of three hundred steps.  There, a horse, tied to a tree, gave joyous neighing at the approach of his master.

It was a vigorous beast, of a species that Dick Sand could not recognize.  Neck and shoulders long, loins short, and hindquarters stretched out, shoulders flat, forehead almost pointed.  This horse offered, however, distinctive signs of those races to which we attribute an Arabian origin.