A FAR ADVENTURE 297 



*'He says," the Feather Man rejoined, "that 

 there is no reason for the Biological Survey to 

 send a photographer, as the state university which 

 is equipping the expedition will send its own man." 



Shan's face fell. 



' ' But, ' ' the Feather Man continued, holding up 

 one finger, ''he says, also, that if you care to 

 pay your expenses as far as Honolulu and back, 

 you would be under no expense while at Laysan, 

 either on the revenue cutter which will take you 

 there or with the expedition's camp on the island. 

 Do you want to go?" 



''It'll cost a lot, won't it?" asked the lad, after 

 one of his characteristic long pauses. 



"Yes," the Feather Man replied, "it will cost 

 you all your duck farm profits for the next three 

 or four years." 



Shan looked troubled, chewing hard on the leaf, 

 meanwhile. 



' ' Do you think I ought to go, sir ? " 



The Feather Man leaned back in his chair and 

 looked thoughtfully at the boy. 



"That's just the question I've been puzzling 

 over during the last few days, ' ' he said. ' ' You 're 

 very apt to do as I advise, and, in a matter like 

 this, you ought to be guided. But I don't quite 



