"Oh, don't let us wait," said Mark, impatiently.
"I don't know as we can afford to wait," added the former sailor boy. "We haven't any too much money, and if we remain here all winter we'll be stranded in the spring, so far as money is concerned."
The boys talked it over several nights, while seated around the campfire. They learned that Socket was going through without delay, and also several other emigrants with families.
"If those fellows can get through with women and children we ought to be able to get through," said Mark.
"Maybe they won't get through," said Maybe Dixon, who was present. "More'n one pusson has lost his life on a mountain trail in snowy weather."
"I know that," answered Bob. "But I, for one, am pretty tough. When I was whaling I was often out in the north seas in a blinding snowstorm and always got back to the ship in safety."
"All the same, I reckon a howling snowstorm in the mountains is not to be sneezed at," said Si, with a shake of his head.
There was a general pause.
"Do we go, or don't we?" asked Mark, boldly. "I say go on."
"So do I."