"That looks as if it might be a good place for toads," and he pointed
to where there was a clump of trees.

"Can you tell where horned toads like to stay?" asked Olivia.

"No," replied Ned, in a low voice, "but it's shady over there, and
this sun, beating down on the sand, is very hot. I wanted to get where
it's cool, and, anyhow, there's just as liable to be horned toads
there as anywhere. If he doesn't find a toad he'll find something else
that will make him nearly as happy, so it's all the same."

"Isn't he a queer man," said Olivia, as they followed along behind Mr.
Snodgrass, who was walking ahead, closely scanning the ground.

"He is, but he's a good friend of ours," replied Ned. "He is very much
in earnest over his collection of insects and reptiles, and, though he
acts queerly at times, he is one of the best men in the world."

"I'm sure he must be," agreed Olivia. "I like him very much. I hope he
stays a long time, and I hope you boys do also. It's quite lonesome
here, with nothing but Mexicans and Chinese for the main part of the
population."

"We'll stay as long as you let us," said Ned.

"We can have fine times," went on the girl. "We can go boating on the
little bay, and take trips off into the country. We, ourselves,
haven't seen much of it yet, as papa was not feeling well when we
first came, and we had to stay home and care for him. But he is better