“Suppose I get another pan and help, sir,” proffered Bob.
His comrades laughed, for the big fellow’s appetite was proverbial among them. MacDonald nodded with a grin of understanding. Bob tore back to the canoes, and soon returned with a pan in hand. In a short time the fish were fried, and all hands fell to right heartily.
“Long way off your beat, aren’t you?” asked Farnum, of MacDonald, as they ate.
The other nodded. Then he regarded them sharply.
“Same to you,” he said. “First white men I’ve seen in many days.”
Mr. Hampton read a challenge in the straight blue eyes under the grizzled brows, and met it promptly.
“Yes, and I’ll tell you why we are here,” he said. “I think our meeting with you was providential. If you have been in this country long, you may have heard something that will help us. At any rate, here’s our story.”
Whereupon, he proceeded to relate the reason for their presence. He made a clean breast of it, keeping back nothing, telling MacDonald of the alleged oil discovery by Farrell and Cameron, Cameron’s death, Farrell’s return as guide to Thorwaldsson’s expedition, and their presence now in an attempt to trace the missing men.
“So that’s that,” said MacDonald. “So that’s the reason for Thorwaldsson’s ‘Lost Expedition.’ And it was into this country he come! Well, well.”
In conclusion, Mr. Hampton told of their recent adventure with Lupo the Wolf. MacDonald manifested keen interest. His hand, as he poured tobacco into a pipe, shook slightly, and he spilled a little of the precious tobacco.