“I am going down to Portland next week,” announced Barwell Dawson one day. “If you both want to go along and see the city, I’ll take you, and foot the bill. Then we can go up to the little town where the Ice King is being fitted out, and you can let me know what you think of the ship.”
This proposal filled the boys with delight, and they accepted on the spot. Both Andy and Chet made hurried trips to their cabin homes, and came back with the best of their belongings in their grips. Then they helped Barwell Dawson pack up; and two days later started for Pine Run.
There was mild surprise in the village when it was learned the two boys were going away, even though it might be only for a short while. To nobody in the village did Barwell Dawson mention his proposed trip to the frozen north.
“They wouldn’t understand it, and it would only make me out an object of idle curiosity,” he explained to the boys.
From the general storekeeper Andy learned that his Uncle Si had tried to borrow ten dollars, but without success. The storekeeper said Josiah Graham and Mr. A. Q. Hopton had had a bitter quarrel, and parted on bad terms. He did not know where either individual was now.
“Well, let Uncle Si shift for himself,” said Andy to Chet. “It will do him good.”
“Right you are, Andy. But what a shame that you lost those papers.”
“Oh, don’t mention them, Chet. It makes me feel bad every time I think of it.”
“You ought to go back some day and take another look for them. I’ll help you.”
“Yes, I intend to go back—if not right away, then when the snow clears off.”