“Can’t we carry it all by wagon?” asked Norman.
“Hardly,” responded the colonel. “It’d make a caravan. We might get through in good weather but the trail is impassable now. We’ve got to go by train.”
“And can’t!” commented Roy.
“Not to-day,” laughed Colonel Howell, “but the season’s young yet. There’ll be another train starting out day after to-morrow. We’ll have to turn up something. Meanwhile, let’s have breakfast.”
This meal over, Norman and Roy accompanied Colonel Howell out into the city. As they well know, Edmonton was the town from which all were forced to take their start into the northern country and, as the colonel had already discovered, they soon confirmed the fact that transportation facilities were in a chaotic condition. A stage was to leave that day, but its passenger facilities were wholly inadequate, and what there were had been engaged for many days.
The first visit of the investigators was to the offices of the Hudson’s Bay Company, that great trading institution which is at once the banker and the courier for all travelers in the great Northwest. Although altogether obliging, at the present time the Company was helpless. The agent thought he might arrange for teams, but it would require several days. Then Colonel Howell visited the offices of the railroad contractors, where he ascertained definitely that passage on the construction train was out of the question.
“Maybe we’ll have to stay here until the mud dries,” laughed Colonel Howell.
The two boys almost groaned.
“But something may turn up,” continued Colonel Howell, “and I’ll be enough to look after things. You boys had better take a run over town. If I don’t see you at noon, I’ll see you at dinner this evening.”
The boys returned to the hotel, found that Mr. Zept and his son had finally gone out with friends, and they put in the rest of the day inspecting the lively young city.