Case was really becoming one of the most enthusiastic and resourceful members of the party. Only at rare intervals did he give way to his imagination—an imagination, by the way, which was bright and suggestive, even if inclined to bring out disagreeable points—and let out prophecies of evil.
“I shall be glad when it is all over with,” Frank admitted. “Of course I want you boys to have all the fun you can on this trip, but I think we can have better entertainment after this suspense is over, on the way back to the coast.”
“Are you going back with us?” asked Alex.
“Yes; if you will permit it. Why not?”
“Even if we do not get the gold?”
“Why, certainly. If we get the gold I shall go out with you as a starter on a series of travels to include all the large rivers in the United States. If we do not get it, why, then I shall have to go out and find something to do.”
“Is this prospect of the gold all the interest you have up there?” asked Clay.
“Yes, nearly all; my father left considerable property, but it is about gone. My guardian helped himself, and this Lewiso has cost me a lot of money.”
“Then we’ve just got to get the gold!” Alex exclaimed. “We just can’t go back to Chicago broke!”
“I like that idea of exploring all the large rivers of the country,” Clay said, smiling at Alex’s enthusiasm. “If we win out with the gold, we’ll form a Motor Boat Club and make it our business to visit all the large streams our Uncle Sam owns.”