"We'll be on hand," said Andrews.
"Who's goin' ter manage the boat?"
"I'll take care of the boat," said Owen. "Colette will be with me, and Gilroy says he is going down."
"And I am going," put in Dale.
Herrick gazed at Dale from head to foot.
"So you be a-goin', eh? Do you think it's dangerous or child's fun?"
"I don't expect any fun—I expect to work, same as I've been working," replied Dale quietly.
"He's all right, Joe," said Andrews. "He's done his full share up here all winter."
"Humph! Drivin' aint tree-cuttin', not by a jugful," muttered Herrick; but he made no further objections to having Dale along.
All told, Herrick had a crew of sixteen, including Jeff, the cook. Four men went with the driver, at the head of the drive, four followed a little further up the stream, and the remainder brought up the rear, either in the boat or on foot. The boat was a large, flat-bottomed affair, managed both with poles and with oars, and carried all the provisions for the trip, as well as numerous other articles, including dynamite, for blowing up a jam that became too dangerous and could not be started by hand power.