"In what state are the roads?"
"Filled with snow, but packed hard. The sledge I came up on carried a good weight of freight as well."
"Are there many sledges in the neighborhood of New Castle, and could one engage the use of them?"
"The farmers and traders could muster a deal of them," said Corkery, "and, I suppose, would put them out for hire with little dispute."
Anthony smiled at the fire; and then he began questioning the man about the position of the ship, and the condition of the ice about her. The replies being satisfactory, the young man went into the bar and spoke to the landlord.
"I want a span of good-stepping horses," he said. "Also I want a sleigh and a driver who knows the roads as far south as New Castle."
The landlord was a Scot, a hard-featured, scrubby man with the manner of one whom the world had failed to convince.
"There's many a team," said he, "and like enough there's many a sleigh. And I've spoken to many a man who knows the very roads you have in mind. But where are they now? is the question, and could they be engaged if found?" He frowned and looked doubtful. "But you might try Churchman in Cobbler's Place," said he.
Churchman was located; he was the exact opposite of the Scot; he took life as a pleasant experience, and seemed to have the fullest confidence in everything.
"I have just the span you want, and exactly the sleigh," said he. "But the driver is another matter. Couldn't you drive yourself? Your way is as plain as a-b-c."