“Good morning, gentlemen,” said the newcomer pleasantly.
“Top of the morning to you!” smiled Jimmie, rising and endeavoring to smooth out the wrinkles in his uniform. “How’s the weather outside?”
“Clearing rapidly, but there’s promise of some wind,” replied the newcomer. “May I ask how far you are going?”
“New York!” declared Jimmie with a grin. “That is,” he added, “if this old ark holds together until we get to Amsterdam and we can find a ship there. It would be just our luck to find the last canal boat gone!”
“Been having tough luck?” inquired the other solicitously.
“Rotten!” stated the boy. “How far do you go?” he asked.
“Amsterdam is my present destination,” was the reply. “My name’s Mackinder—Robert Mackinder, and I’m trying to get out of this forsaken country, don’t you know. I’m in hopes I’ll be able to find some craft destined to a point where I’ll be able to get home.”
Introductions of the four lads followed. Mackinder proved himself an entertaining talker. Listening to his tales of adventure in various lands the boys were soon at ease. The man apparently had traveled over the whole world for he seemed familiar with all lands.
“I say,” declared Jimmie, as their new found friend concluded a tale of privation through which he had passed in South Africa, “that story of starvation reminds me that I am hungry. I haven’t eaten in a week!”
“Jimmie, Jimmie!” cautioned Ned. “Get down to recent dates!”