CHAPTER XVI.
A CHANGE OF PLAN.
It was dismaying news. Ten days to wait in Panama! To the boys, especially to Oliver, it seemed an eternity.
“Might as well settle down here,” grumbled Gus. “What in the world are we to do, caged up in this dreary place for a week and a half?”
“The company will have to board us,” remarked Mr. Whyland, who was disposed to make the best of the matter. “As far as that goes it will be their loss, not ours.”
“But I do not wish to lose the time. I suppose Colonel Mendix is already in San Francisco, or maybe even on his way to the mine,” said Oliver.
“That is true. But what can we do?”
“I wonder if there are no other ships that carry passengers?” asked Oliver. “In a place like this there ought to be.”
“Yes, but we’ve got our tickets,” put in Gus. “I can’t afford to lose the amount I paid on mine.”
“We won’t lose that,” replied Mr. Whyland. “The company will have to take them back for what they are worth if they cannot carry us at the stipulated time. But is there any other steamer?”