He thought of the triumph he would obtain by sending such a rare contribution to the great museum of Europe.

If ever, my young reader, you should become a naturalist, you will comprehend how strong this feeling may be; and with our hunter-naturalist it was so.
At first he proposed that Hugot should accompany them.

This the boys would not hear of, and all three stoutly opposed it.

They could not think of taking Hugot--their father would require Hugot at home--Hugot would be of no use to them, they said.

They would do as well, if not better, without him.
The truth was, that these ambitious young hunters did not wish to be robbed of any part of the credit of their enterprise--which they knew would be the case if Hugot were to accompany them.