“Then first of all we must try to find out just who can go,” suggested Bobolink.
“What if there are too many to be accommodated either on the iceboats we own or in the cabin?” remarked Tom Betts, uneasily.
“Shucks! that ought to be easy,” suggested another. “All we have to do is to pull straws, and see who the lucky ten are.”
“Then let those who are positive they can go 33 step aside here,” Paul ordered; and at this there was a shuffling of feet and considerable moving about.
“Remember, you must be sure you can go,” warned Paul. “Afterwards we’ll single out those who believe they can get permission, but feel some doubts. If there is room they will come in for next choice.”
Several who had started forward held back at this. Those who took their stand as the leader requested consisted of Jack, Bobolink, Bluff, Tom Betts, Jud Elderkin, Sandy Griggs, Phil Towns and “Spider” Sexton.
“Counting myself in the list that makes nine for certain,” Paul observed. It was noticed that Tom Betts as well as Bobolink looked exceedingly relieved on discovering that, after all, there need be no drawing of lots.
“Now let those who have strong hopes of being able to go stand up to be counted,” continued Paul. “I’ll keep a list of the names, and the first who comes to say he has received full permission will be the one to make up the full count of ten members, which is all the cabin can accommodate.”
The Carberry twins, as well as several others, stood over in line to have their names taken down.
“If one of us can go, Paul,” explained Wallace Carberry, “we’ll fix it up between us which it 34 shall be. But I’m sorry to say our folks don’t take to this idea of a winter camp very strongly.”