home for us.” “I’m lucky to have the chance to see it,” congratulated Beatrice. “If ever I become a writer, I shall put Las Golondrinas into a story. That’s a pretty name; Las Golondrinas.” “Isn’t it, though. I suppose it was named on account of the tree swallows,” mused Patsy.[66] “Dad says there are flocks of them here. They have blue backs and white breasts. I’m sure I saw some this morning. Oh, dear! I wish the girls would hurry. I want to start out and see the sights. Come on. Let’s remind them that time is flying.” [66] Catching Bee by the hand, Patsy pulled her, a willing captive, toward the sitting-room. “Time’s up and more than up!” she announced, poking her auburn head into the big room. “I’m ready,” responded Eleanor, rising from her chair. “So am I—in another minute.” Hastily addressing an envelope to her mother, Mabel tucked her letter into it, sealed and stamped it. “There!” she ejaculated as she laid it on the little pile of letters which represented the fruits of the morning’s labor. “That’s off my mind.” “What about you, Auntie?” questioned Patsy, noting that her dignified relative was still engaged in letter-writing. “Don’t you want to join the explorers?” “You girls can get along very well without me,” placidly returned Miss Carroll. “I am not through with my writing. Besides, I don’t feel inclined to go exploring this morning. I warn[67] all of you to be careful where you set foot. This old place may be infested with snakes.” [67] “Oh, we’ll be careful. We’ll each carry a good stout stick,” assured Beatrice. “That’s the way tourists do in the tropics, you know. On some of the South Sea Islands, I’ve read that tourists always carry what they call ‘snake sticks’ when they go calling. At night the coolies go ahead of a calling party and beat the long grass aside.” “Very fine, Bee. I hereby appoint you chief grass-beater of the realm,” teased Mabel. “I decline the high office,” retorted Bee. “Every Wayfarer will have to do her own bit of trail beating. As I am very brave, I
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