"No, I know you're not," laughed Mr. Damon.
"But I've got to say something, Tom, to stir you
up. Ned, how about you? Would you go?"

"I can't, unless Tom does. You see I'm his
financial man now."

"There you are, Tom Swift!" cried Mr. Damon.
"You see you are holding back a number
of persons just because you don't want to go."

"I certainly wouldn't like to go without Tom,"
said the professor slowly. "I really need his
help. You know, Tom, we would never have
found the city of Pelone if it had not been for
you and your marvelous powder. The conditions
in the Copan valley are likely to be still
more difficult to overcome, and I feel that I risk
failure without your young energy and your
inventive mind to aid in the work and to suggest
possible means of attaining our object. Come,
Tom, reconsider, and decide to make the trip."

"And my promise to go was dependent on
Tom's agreement to accompany us," said Mr.
Damon

"Come on!" urged the professor, much as one boy
might urge another to take part in a ball game.