Within an hour a wire was on its way to Mr. Lakewood, saying that they were starting as soon as they could get ready. Then followed a busy time looking up routes and making reservations, to say nothing of outfitting themselves with clothing suitable for wear in the far North.
Slats Magee, just beginning to hobble around, on crutches, was loud in his bewailment of the fate which kept him at home.
"If it was only an arm, now," he groaned. "I'd put it in a sling an' go anyhow."
They found that they could get a boat from Seattle on a Monday and as that was only three days off, they were kept busy the most of the time. Finally the moment came to say good-bye and, as the train pulled out from Cold Springs, Sue waved her hand from the platform and shouted:
"Look out you don't fall in love with an Esquimo girl."
* * * * * * * * *
Hoping that the lifeboat might not have left the side of the ship the boys laid the form of the captain on the deck and rushed to the rail.
"Too late," Jack cried as he pointed to a spot of light dancing up and down some distance from the ship.
"Yes, they've gone all right," Bob agreed.
"What'll we do?"