The two craft, sunk almost to their gunwales, moved slowly across the mirror-like lake, reaching their destination without mishap, and returning for the last loads.
Jake looked at the three youths.
“You’ve got a mighty hard tramp afore you; if there was a road I’d take you home in my wagon.”
“We don’t mind it,” was the cheery reply of Alvin.
“Besides, if we feel like resting our legs and using our arms, we can borrow Dr. Spellman’s boat; his home isn’t far off. Do you go back at once?”
“I’ve a great mind to; it would serve Asa and Bige right if I did, but I’ll hang round a half hour or so and not a blamed bit longer, for I must git home afore dark.”
“Then we shall bid you good bye,” said Alvin shaking hands with the countryman, as did the others, all expressing the hope of soon meeting him again. Since it was he who regularly brought the supplies to this point, there seemed to be no reason why the mutual wish should not be gratified. Jake refilled and relighted his pipe, sitting on a fallen tree and showing by his vigorous puffs that he was not in the most patient of moods.
The three boys did not speak until sure they were beyond sight of Jake. Then they halted.
“Do you think he suspects anything?” asked Alvin, unconsciously lowering his voice.
“Why should he?” asked Chester.