There was a creaking and straining of the woodwork around them which they had not noticed before. Laura ran to a window, followed by Alene. The hills appeared to be gliding by! Sure enough, the boat was moving; it had left the shore while they were talking.
For a moment they had a strange sensation.
"It's like being abducted," said Alene.
"Oh, dear, I wonder how far they will go!"
They ran through the paneled door to the front of the boat. The clerk was busy arranging his stock.
"Why, I thought everybody was gone!" he cried in surprise.
"We went into the cabin to rest awhile; we never dreamed you were going away. Where will the boat go?"
The young man laughed.
"Oh, don't get scared! We are only bound across the river a few miles above, to catch the train! Wait, maybe I can get Jones to return and land you first."
He came back in a few minutes.