!" cried the professor, hopefully. "Why, he'd fight a
pack of wildcats and think it fun!"

"Yes, Barney is happiest when in trouble. According to my uncle's will,
I am at liberty to carry a companion besides my guardian on my travels,
and so, when Hans Dunnerwust got tired of traveling and went home, I
sent for Barney, knowing he'd be a first-class fellow to have with me.
He finally succeeded in making arrangements to join us, and I have a
telegram from him, stating that he would start in time to reach here
before to-morrow. If you are forced into trouble, professor, Barney can
serve as a substitute."

"That sounds very well, but Colonel Vallier would not accept a boy."

"Then Barney can disguise himself and pretend to be a man."

"I'm afraid it won't work. Not that Barney Mulloy will hesitate to help
me out of the scrape, for he was the most dare-devil chap in Fardale
Academy, next to yourself, Frank. You were the leader in all kinds of
daring adventures, but Barney made a good second. But he can't pass
muster as a man."

"Perhaps he can. But you have not yet received a challenge from Colonel
Vallier; so don't worry about what may not happen."

"I can't help worrying. I shall not take any further pleasure in life
till we get out of this dreadful city."

"Oh, brace up! Come on; let's go out and see the sights."

"No, Frank--no, my boy. I am indisposed--I am quite ill. Besides that, I
might meet Colonel Vallier. I shall remain in my room for the present."

So Frank was obliged to go out alone, and, when he returned for supper,
he found the professor in bed, looking decidedly like a sick man.

"I am very ill, Frank--very ill," Scotch declared. "I fear I am in for a
protracted illness."

"Nonsense, professor! Why, you'll miss all the fun to-morrow, and we're
here to see the sport."

"Confound the sport! I wish we had stayed away from this miserable
place!"

"Why, you were very enthusiastic over New Orleans and the people of the
South this morning."

"Hang the people of the South--hang them all! They're too
hot-headed--they're altogether too ready to fight over nothing. Now, I'm
a peaceable man, and I can't fight--I simply can't!"

"Well, well! I don't fancy you'll have to fight," said Frank, whose
conscience was beginning to smite him.

"Then I'll have to apologize, and I'll be jiggered if I know what I'm
going to apologize for!"

"What makes you so sure you'll have to apologize?"

"Look at this--rea