“Maybe we’ll catch clear weather that’s cold enough to freeze the leg off a mule,” returned Jack. “Somebody said there was an intensely cold snap on the way.”
“Oh, we’re prepared for cold all right,” put in Boxy. “All you’ve got to do is to move around lively like to keep up the circulation, and you are all right.”
“Just the same I wish we were in Rudd’s Landing,” said Jack. “I don’t like this traveling on an unknown part of the river in the dark. We may not find the Landing at all.”
“Pooh! How can we help it? We know just where it is along shore.”
“Well, then, let us turn in a bit. There is no sense in keeping away out here in the middle.”
“That’s so,” said Andy. “It may be warmer in toward the shore.”
So they turned in the direction of the shore upon which was situated the town for which they were bound. The overhanging bank of the stream was fringed with bushes and trees and they skirted along just outside of these, keeping a sharp lookout for airholes and thin spots.
“Don’t want a bath just now,” shivered Boxy.
“No; a bath would just about do us up,” returned Andy. “As it is, I can hardly move along.”
“We’ll be all right when we get to Barton Coils’ place,” called back Jack. “So don’t get faint-hearted, Andy.”