“Have you ever made the journey?” I said eagerly.
“Yes, once,” said Gunson, quietly. “Once was enough.”
“But Mrs John’s brother told them he thought it would do his sister good.”
“Well, it may. I’m not a doctor; but after what I went through I should hesitate about taking a delicate woman such a route. And you too. When you get to the Fraser, how do you mean to journey hundreds of miles up to Fort Elk?”
I was silent, for it seemed to me as if we were for the first time coming face to face with the difficulties of our task.
“Dunno,” said Esau, thoughtfully. “S’pose there ain’t no ’buses.”
“No, nor yet cabs,” said Gunson, laughing.
“Might be a stage-coach running now and then, p’r’aps.”
“My good lad, there isn’t even a road. Perhaps there is a trail. There is sure to be that, of course, for the Indians would go to the Fort with their pelting.”
“With their what?” said Esau.