“They were evidently having a dispute when we came along,” said Ruth. “We heard one of them say something about the Klondike.”
“The Klondike!” exclaimed Neale, and there was a queer note in his voice.
“Yes, they certainly said that,” agreed Agnes. “Oh, I do wish we were away from here.” And from the deck of the boat she looked at the wooded shores of the river extending on either side of the moored craft. The Gentory was not very wide at this point, but the other shore was just as lonely and deserted as that where the voyagers had come to rest for the night.
“Don’t be so nervous and fussy,” said Ruth to Agnes. “Mr. Howbridge won’t like it. He will think we don’t care for the trip, and—”
“Oh, I like the trip all right,” broke in Agnes. “It’s just the idea of staying all night in this lonely place.”
“We have plenty of protectors,” asserted Ruth. “There’s Neale and—”
“What’s that?” asked the boy, hearing his name spoken.
“Agnes was saying she was timid,” went on Ruth, for Mr. Howbridge had gone to the dining-room for a glass of milk Mrs. MacCall had suggested he take before going to bed. “I tell her with you and Mr. Howbridge and Hank to protect us—”
“Aggie timid! Oh, yes, we’ll look after you!” he promised with a laugh. “At the same time—Oh, well, I guess Hank won’t stay late,” and he looked at his watch.
“You seem worried,” said Agnes to her friend when they were alone for a moment. “Do you think these men—those Klondikers—are likely to make trouble?”