"Not at all, Owen. We would have gone even if Hoover wasn't a relative of yours. I think I'd cast him off," and Dale laughed.
"Well, you can consider him cast off," answered Owen, and then he laughed too.
From the boatman both learned of the many troubles John Hoover had had with his help, and of how many had deserted him every season for years.
"The men all over Michigan are getting to know him," said the boatman, "and as a consequence, the only help he can get is from outside places."
The young lumbermen were surprised to find Saginaw a large and bustling city, given over largely to the lumber and salt trade. They soon found a cheap hotel, and here indulged in the first square meal they had had since leaving Detroit.
"We might as well take it easy for a few days," said Owen. "Our money will carry us through, and there is no need of our rushing into another job until we are sure of what we are doing."
The sights around Saginaw were not many, but it pleased them to walk around the lumber yards, and around the docks, where a number of lake vessels were loading with lumber for Detroit, Cleveland, and other points.
"We might get a passage on one of those boats bound for Detroit," said Owen. "Let us ask the captain about it." And this they did, and secured passage for little more than the price of meals, the master of the schooner being glad to have them along, as they said they would help on the cargo in case of rough weather.
On the evening before the schooner was to sail Dale and Owen had their trunks and valises taken on board, and then started out for a final look at the town.
"We may never get here again," said Dale. "So we may as well take in everything worth seeing."