said Mr. Alcando on leaving the boys, "and I shall come out,
whenever you send me word, to learn of your decision. That it may
be a favorable one I need hardly say I hope," he added with a low
bow.

"We'll let you know as soon as we can," promised Blake. "But my
chum and I will have to think it over. We have hardly become
rested from taking flood pictures."

"I can well believe that, from what I have heard of your strenuous
activities."

"Well, what do you think about it all?" asked Joe, as he and his
chum sat on the shady porch an hour or so after the exciting
incidents I have just narrated.

"I hardly know," answered Blake. "I guess I'll have another go at
Mr. Hadley's letter. I didn't half read it."

He took the missive from his pocket, and again perused it. It
contained references to other matters besides the projected Panama
trip, and there was also enclosed a check for some work the moving
picture boys had done.

But as it is with the reference to the big canal that we are
interested we shall confine ourselves to that part of Mr. Hadley's
letter.

"No doubt you will be surprised," he wrote, "to learn what I have
in prospect for you. I know you deserve a longer vacation than you