The ore was to come down from the mountain in sacks, loaded on horse and muleback, and to be delivered to the railroad at the Junction, a small settlement about twenty miles south of the ranch.
The boys thought that as they were stock-holders in the mine, they ought to go along and attend to this matter, too, but John couldn't see it that way.

He compromised on a half-holiday for them; study in the morning, freedom in the afternoon.

So that morning they stuck to their lessons.

With John there to oversee them they might neglect their studies.

With him away, and the boys placed on their honor, the thing wasn't to be thought of.
And here it might be repeated that Injun had a very strong sense of honor.