Alex called him back, but the dog seemed to have discovered a scent by the side of the car that he wanted to follow. While the boys stood talking the car bunted against the upright beam which terminated the siding, and the Columbia river lay glistening not far distant.
“Glorious, eh?” shouted Alex. “Say, but we’re bound to have some great old times on that little rivulet!”
Gran turned away his face and remained silent. Alex grinned at this proof that the boy really wanted to go with them. If his inclination lay that way, a little argument would do the rest, he thought.
“I’ve got to leave you here,” Gran said, with a sigh.
“No,” insisted Alex, “we’ve been talking it over, and have made up our minds that we can’t spare you. There are lots of places, we are told, where it takes four to run the boat. There are rapids and falls which necessitate taking the boat out of the water and making a carry. I don’t think you ought to quit us now.”
The stranger’s face brightened in an instant. Alex smiled again.
“Oh, if I can be of any use,” the boy began, “I’ll be glad to go, only I have no money, and I thought—”
“Never mind that,” Alex replied. “You’re going with us, all right. Is it a bargain? Sure you won’t leave us when we aren’t looking?” he added. “We’ll need your help, you know, in lots of places.”
“Come on, now, and get ready to send the Rambler into the water!” cried Clay, springing to the floor of the car and then to the ground. “I wish we could run this car into the river and float the boat off, but that can’t be done, so I’ll have to go and get skids and rollers and men to help. While I’m gone, you lads get breakfast ready, and we’ll take our last meal in this elegant old private palace car!”
“I suppose we can go over to the store and get a few things to eat?” questioned Alex. “We’ll have time for that, won’t we?” he added.