“I reckoned yo’ uns must have, ’cause he was in the same kind of a rush,” the agent explained, as if proud of his discernment.
The boys went back to the hotel for breakfast, which even Bob had forgone in order to get earlier news of the boat. Now, with feelings greatly relieved, they ate the morning meal.
“We might as well arrange for some one to cart the boat to the lake,” suggested Jerry as they arose from the table.
“Maybe we’d better look for a shop where we can have it repaired,” put in Ned. “It may need a lot of attention.”
“Hope not,” spoke Jerry, though he thought Ned’s idea a good one.
They found near the shores of Lake Tohopekaliga a boat builder, who agreed to take charge of the Dartaway, do whatever was necessary and transport it to the water for them. Then there was nothing to do but to wait.
It seemed a long time until noon, and from then until one o’clock, when the freight was due, the boys thought the clocks had all gone on a strike. But at length, as they waited on the depot platform, they heard a shrill whistle.
“There she comes!” cried Ned. “Now to learn the worst.”
“Or the best,” remarked Jerry, who was of a more hopeful turn of mind.
“I see it!” exclaimed Bob, as the freight train passed them to draw up to the long platform. “Doesn’t seem to be in such bad shape!”