“Mebbe you’re Jock Cope’s boy?”
“Yes, yes,” responded Jock, quickly. “He’s my father, and you are Ethan, if I’m not mistaken.”
“That’s what folks call me. These the boys goin’ into camp with ye?” he inquired with a drawl, turning to the other boys as he spoke.
“Yes, these are my friends,” and Jock proceeded to introduce each to Ethan.
“Glad to see ye,” responded Ethan, apparently not very much impressed by the sight of the band. “Got yer trunks checked?”
“Yes, they were checked through to Alexandria Bay. We don’t have to do anything here, do we?”
“Naw, unless ye want to go down to the Bay on the steamer. I’ve got my boat here, an’ if ye want to ye can sail down with me. Ye’ll have speak up, sonny, though, for if ye want to take the steamer ye’ll have to say so mighty quick.”
“We haven’t had breakfast,” said Jock, “and if the other fellows feel as I do, we’ll want something to eat.”
“Ye can get breakfast aboard the boat if ye want to an’ can afford to pay for it, or ye can go up to one o’ the hotels an’ get it, an’ I’ll wait here for ye. ’Tisn’t for me to say.”