Tears stood in the eyes of both Mr. Beasley and his son, as in shaky
voices they endeavored to thank the Chester Boys.

"That's all right, Lathrop," said Frank at length--"turn about's
fair play. You drove the aeroplane to Bellman's island you remember
and saved us--now, we'll save you and your father, if we can--how
long can you give us, Mr. Beasley?" he asked, briskly turning to the
thoroughly humbled merchant.

"Eight weeks--if I hear from you by cable in eight weeks I can keep
things going," was the reply.

"Phew!" whistled Frank, "that's not an awful lot of time."

"Can you do it, Frank?" asked Lathrop eagerly.

"We'll try as hard as we know how," was the modest answer.

"And--and you'll take me along?" faltered Lathrop.

"Sure, you can come as your father's representative at large,"
laughed Frank.




CHAPTER III

THE DARK CONTINENT