“Paul,” he exclaimed, “we’re a lot of chumps. Chandler never came back to this camp. He hired the best dog team in this part of the world and while we were all asleep he’s been hurrying to Edmonton. He’s had seven days’ start, and the way these dogs travel, he’ll cover that distance in jig time. Come on,” he almost shouted, “we’ve got something to do now besides feeding lazy Indians. The hunters are back, anyway, and there won’t be any starving around here. We’ve got to get back to Colonel Howell as fast as the airship’ll go.”
Philip’s supper was awaiting the return of the Gitchie Manitou, but its serving was long delayed. For an hour the conference that took place immediately upon the safe housing of the monoplane continued while each participant contributed his views. The conclusion was inevitable. Colonel Howell must proceed to Edmonton at once. There was a discussion as to whether this perilous flight should be made to Athabasca Landing, where Colonel Howell would have to make the last hundred miles of journey by train, or whether the trip through the Arctic skies should be made by compass directly to Edmonton.
Finally it was decided, in view of the comprehensive charts that they had of the intervening country, that the latter should be the program, even if it were necessary to make a landing on the way.
“The trains from Athabasca Landing,” concluded Colonel Howell at last, “run only three times a week, and I’m not sure of the schedule.”
“Then,” announced Norman, “we’ll do it by Air Line. We can make it, if you want to trust me.”
“I think it’s worth while,” laughed the colonel.
“You haven’t much time,” broke in the excited Roy. “They’ve had good hard snow, and this half-breed’s got a great team, I understand. If they made forty miles a day, and I’ve heard o’ them doing that, you’ll have to get a hustle on you.”
“We leave to-night,” announced Norman, springing to his feet. “Philip!” he called.
Colonel Howell, with a disturbed look on his face, interrupted:
“Couldn’t we leave in the morning—early?” he suggested. “I think I’d rather ride by daylight.”