allace. "We'll take one of those
new moving-picture machines. They're no larger than a camera and you can
take motion pictures or straight shots on the reel."

"Gee! That'll be great!" cried Burt delightedly. "But won't the heat
spoil the reels? An' don't they cost like fury?"

"The reels will be hermetically sealed before and after using,"
explained his uncle. "Needn't worry 'bout them. The whole outfit only
costs twelve or thirteen pounds--say sixty dollars. It's well worth it,
too. Now for the tents. We're going to travel light as possible, so put
down two double-roofed ridge tents twelve by ten, with ground-sheets.
Three cots without mattresses. You'll have to do without them or
pillows--they're a beastly nuisance to pack along. Canvas bath each and
condensing outfit to supply fresh water."

"Why's that, uncle?" asked Burt in surprise. "Lots of fresh water, ain't
there?"

"Lots," smiled his uncle, "and lots o' guinea worms, fever germs,
poisons and other things in it. Better add a four-quart canteen, glass
stoppers, to your personal list. Can't take any cork or the roaches'll
eat it. Two blankets for each person, and six towels. I guess that's all
we need put down now, boys."

"Hold on there!" cried practical Critch abruptly. "How 'bout eatin'
utensils and fryin' pans, medicine, can openers and all them things?"

"All arranged for," laughed Mr. Wallace. "The cooking part of it will be
up to John Quincy Adams Washington."

"John--who?" stammered Burt. "Say it again, please!"

For answer Mr. Wallace pressed a button and a footman appeared.

"Send the manager here at once, please." The man bowed and withdrew and
while the boys were still staring at the explorer in wonder a dapper
little man appeared bowing.

"Mr. Wallace? Glad to see you looking so well, sir! What can I do for
you?"

"I want that fellow Washington," smiled the explorer. "Can you let me
have him for say three months? I'm going down to Africa and he'll have
to go along."

"Certainly! I'll send him right up, sir." The manager vanished with
another bow and Mr. Wallace turned to the boys.

"Washington--or John rather--is a Liberia boy I picked up five years
ago. He's the best cook on earth! He's been in China and South America
with me and whenever I don't need him he has a steady job as fifth chef
here. Ah, here he is!"

An immense black man appeared, wearing a grin that almost hid his face,
as Burt expressed it. He stepped up and caught t