“It’s a wonder you recognize him, Clay,” grinned the impudent Alex. “You’ve only known him for ten years.”
“I’ve only known him for five, but I can almost see a likeness,” smiled Case.
The bright-eyed stranger smiled at the joshing, but seemed to think it had gone far enough.
“I stole time to come down and get a look at your wonderful little ship, of which I had heard so much. Won’t you show me around, boys?”
CHAPTER II
A MYSTERY
The boys agreed to Ike’s request with delight. They were proud of the neat little Rambler that had carried them safely and surely over so many thousands of miles of water. They led him all around showing the clever contrivances of lockers, the folding bunks, the cozy kitchen, and how every inch of available space had been arranged for the handy storage of some article.
“You’ve got a daisy little craft, and have got her fixed up dandy,” Ike enthusiastically declared, as soon as they were seated. “Where do you expect to go this summer, and how soon are you going to start?”
“We are going to Alaska up on the Yukon,” Alex exclaimed. “We’re not going for fun exactly this time, although we expect to have a lot of that too. Our main object is to dig a ton or so of gold, fill up the balance of our cargo with rare and costly furs, and make our way back to the States before the ice sets.”
“There you go, hoodooing the trip before it’s started,” growled Case gloomily. “I was in hopes we might sneak back with a few hundred dollars. But with all the bragging you’ve begun already, I am doubtful if we get back with the boat.