"And the bear?" queried the boy.
"I'm on the Geological Survey, not in the wild animal business," was the ready answer, "and I left that bear alone. I never hunt for trouble."
"And shall I see those bears if I go up with you this summer?" asked Roger.
"Likely enough you will see them if you go up to Alaska, but that will not be this summer."
"Why not, Mr. Rivers?"
"That work needs trained men, as I told you, and you know nothing of the Survey yet. Besides, you will be sent where Mr. Herold thinks best, not where you prefer to go."
"And I had hoped to see Alaska this summer!" cried the boy dejectedly.
"That could not be in any case; all the parties have started already," replied the older man. "You see, in order to make use of every day of the short Alaskan summer, the men start early in the spring when a long trip is planned, so that they will be at the point of start when the break-up comes."
"Then I am too late after all!" said Roger, with the most acute disappointment.
The experienced Alaskan explorer smiled.