"Very well," said Mr. George. "That's a very good plan. Only I advise you to make a bargain with the captain to put you ashore any where you like. Because you know you may get tired before you have gone so far as ten miles.
"In fact," continued Mr. George, "I would not say any thing about the distance that you wish to go to the captain. Just make a bargain with him to let you go aboard his raft for a little while, and to send you ashore whenever you wish to go."
"Yes," said Rollo, "I will; that will be the best plan. But I am sure that I shall want to go as far as ten miles."
So Rollo went to his trunk, and began to unlock it in a hurried manner; and when he had opened it, he put his hand down into it at the left hand corner, on the front side, which was the place where he always kept his fishing line.
"What are you looking for?" said Mr. George.
"My fishing line," replied Rollo; "is not that a good plan?"
"Yes," said Mr. George, "an excellent plan."
Rollo had no very definite idea of being able to fish while on the raft, but there was a sort of instinct which prompted him always to take his fishing line whenever he went on any excursion whatever that was connected with the water. Mr. George had a pretty definite idea that he would not be able to fish; but still he thought it a good plan for Rollo to take the line, for he observed that to have a fishing line in his pocket, on such occasions, was always a source of pleasure to a boy, even if he did not use it at all.
Rollo, having found his fishing line, shut and locked his trunk, and ran down stairs.
As soon as he had gone, Mr. George rose and rang the bell.