Owen did not have to be urged to join the bunch; indeed, he showed himself eager to accompany them.
"I can fetch a lantern, if you want me to, Hugh," he observed; "and say, do you know I'm of a mind to carry my new shotgun that I had given to me just last month, when Grandfather concluded I was old enough to want to go hunting.

If we have to chase all around through that place there's so many queer stories told about we might as well be fixed so as to protect ourselves." "Huh!" snorted Horatio Juggins, skeptically, "I've always heard that ghosts don't mind ordinary birdshot any more'n an alligator would.
But then fetch it along, Owen; it'll no doubt make us feel a little better when we find ourselves up in that terribly lonely tract of country.

And who knows but what there might be a stray wildcat abroad in those woods.

Such things have been heard of, and I even saw the skin of a whopper shown in the market." So Owen carried out his design, and when he got aboard the big car he took with him not only a lantern, well filled with oil, but also his brand new twelve-gauge shotgun.
At last they were off.

Every fellow felt a peculiar sense of exhilaration that possibly even bordered on anticipation, take possession of him; for the future was there before them all unknown.
Who could say what strange adventures might befall them before this undertaking was finished?
Of course they had the headlights turned on at full force, and Hugh at the wheel found no difficulty in keeping the middle of the road.
He did not mean to pursue a reckless pace, because, if they met with an accident it would spoil all their plans.