"We aint payin' young fellows like you more'n twenty dollars a month an' found."
"How many months work?" asked Owen.
"Six months, an' maybe seven or eight."
"I'll accept," said Owen.
"So will I," said Dale.
The old lumberman then said he knew John Larson fairly well and that a recommendation from such a person must be all right.
"We're going to start up the lake this afternoon," said he. "So if ye mean business be on hand at two o'clock sharp. I'll give ye free passage, an' you help work the boat and carry stuff around the falls."
By this time the provisions from the store were arriving, and both set to work to assist Joel Winthrop in stowing them away. Then, having nothing else to do, the two young lumbermen strolled around the settlement, past the big hotel and back by way of the freight yard.
As they were passing the latter place, the down freight came in, stopped to take on two cars piled with lumber, and then started on its way again. As it moved off a man ran from the freight yard and leaped on board of the last car.
"Well, I declare!" gasped Dale. "Did you see that fellow?"