Here was my opportunity, and I took it.

"Shooting?" I said. "Ah! yes; I never thought of that. It must be a very
wild stretch of country, and full of big game. I have always wanted to
kill a buffalo before I die. Do you know, my boy, I don't believe in the
quest, but I do believe in big game, and really on the whole, if, after
thinking it over, you make up your mind to go, I will take a holiday,
and come with you."

"Ah," said Leo, "I thought that you would not lose such a chance. But
how about money? We shall want a good lot."

"You need not trouble about that," I answered. "There is all your income
that has been accumulating for years, and besides that I have saved
two-thirds of what your father left to me, as I consider, in trust for
you. There is plenty of cash."

"Very well, then, we may as well stow these things away and go up to
town to see about our guns. By the way, Job, are you coming too? It's
time you began to see the world."

"Well, sir," answered Job, stolidly, "I don't hold much with foreign
parts, but if both you gentlemen are going you will want somebody to
look after you, and I am not the man to stop behind after serving you
for twenty years."

"That's right, Job," said I. "You won't find out anything wonderful, but
you will get some good shooting. And now look here, both of you. I won't
have a word said to a living soul about this nonsense," and I pointed