nd that there was
something he wanted to ask Griggs, who kept on by the leading mule and
its bell, and then the question seemed to be so important and weighty
that it took two boys to carry it.

The first few times the doctor had taken no notice, but after Chris had
cantered forward four times to rein up on one side of the American, with
Ned on the other, his father said dryly when he overtook him--

"There's a good old saying that has to do with thoughtfulness, Chris.
It is this: Let your head save your heels. To apply it in this case, it
should be, Save your pony's heels."

"I don't understand you, father," said the boy.

"Don't you? I only meant, the next time you want to ask about something
that has been left behind, keep it in your head till you think of the
next thing, and the next. You might collect half-a-dozen, and then you
could go and ask them altogether. Do you see?"

"Yes, father," said Chris, who turned rather red.

"Be patient, my boy, and you'll have plenty of hard riding, perhaps more
than you anticipate."

There seemed to be no necessity for the precaution so near home, but the
doctor said that they had better begin as they would have to go on "when
in the enemy's country," as he put it, with a smile.

"Before long we may be where there will be risk of our animals
stampeding, or being stolen. Later on, when we are in the Indians'
country, we shall have to guard against attack, so we will divide the
night into watches."

This was before settling down for the night in and about the deserted
fruit-farm.

"Oh," cried Wilton; "but surely this is being too particular. Every one
is tired. We have had a very wearing day, beginning so early as we did
with the packing and getting off."

"Yes," said the doctor coldly, "but the success or failure of the
expedition depends upon our being punctilious. A stitch in time saves
nine, my dear boy."

"But--" began Wilton, in a tone of protest.

"One moment," said the doctor. "Let me make a suggestion. We want to
start early every morning for Unknownia, if you will let me coin a name
for the place of our search."

"Of course," said Bourne.

"We must always break the neck of our journey by getting over a good
many miles before the heat of the day sets in."

"That's good advice," cried Griggs.

"Very well, then," continued the doctor; "we don't want to waste time in
lighting fires and hunting up horses and mules that have strayed no one
knows