"But please don't tell anyone about it," Jack begged.
"I won't," the captain smiled.
But in some way or other the truth leaked out and before the trip was a day old they, much to their disgust, found themselves regarded as heroes by crew and passengers alike. But, in spite of it, the trip proved most enjoyable. The weather was perfect and the captain seemed to take great delight in showing them the different parts of the ship and in answering their many questions. They, in turn, took him into their confidence as to the object of their journey and he expressed great surprise that their lather had sent them on such a mission.
"Alaska is a mighty big place," he told them, "and in the winter it's a very rough place let me tell you."
"You think it's dangerous: the trip up the Yukon, I mean?" Bob asked him.
"Well, for you two boys to take such a trip at this time of the year would be decidedly dangerous, not to say foolhardy, but if you get a good native to go with you the risk will, of course, be much less."
"And do you think we can get one?"
"I guess there's little doubt about that provided you can afford it. They charge a pretty stiff price these days."
"I'm sure father would want us to have a guide and will be willing to pay whatever is right."
"Then by all means do it."