THEY MEET A KIND FRIEND


The interest in their weapons gave place in a few days to preparations
for the journey to Frankfort; and they decided to walk, just as such
healthy, energetic boys would prefer, taking two days for the journey,
and stopping for the one night at some wayside inn.

The mothers prepared the outfit, the main part of the clothing for the
three boys to be packed in one satchel and sent by express to the home
of Mrs. Fanny Steiner, the widowed sister of Fritz's father, and the
boys were to carry their school knapsacks strapped across their
shoulders, containing the few articles they would need upon their
journey. The fathers agreed to furnish funds for the journey, and the
three travelers, not having to bother about clothing or money, could
give all their attention to the subject of weapons with which to
overcome the dangers which might beset them on the way.

Fritz brought forward his rusty knife; Paul had found an old pistol of
the time of the first Napoleon, in which lay no danger because it would
not shoot; and Franz had an old cutlass which hung by a cord at his
side. They praised each other's weapons, but Fritz and Paul could not
help envying the owner of the cutlass.

"Listen," said Fritz. "We need not always carry our own weapons upon the
journey, we can exchange when we feel like it."

Paul agreed heartily to this, but Franz was silent; he did not wish any
one to have a share in his new possession.