"He says he can't do it; the captain is coming on the train and if we fail to meet him 'on the dot' it's as much as his job is worth. But it won't take very long and then we'll put back and land you at home."
The girls were forced to be content. They returned to the cabin and discussed the situation.
"I wish Ivy could have come along, she would enjoy this," cried Laura.
When the boat at length drew near to shore and a plank was thrown out, they went on deck and gazed around.
In front and on each side as far as they could see, a steep, scrubby bank reached up to the railway tracks which swept along the foot of the hills. A small wooden tower stood near the tracks a short distance away. The rain had ceased as suddenly as it had come and the sunlight lay on river and land.
"The train must be late," remarked the clerk. A muffled rumble was heard—"Hark, there it is now!"
But it turned out to be a freight, which drew its long length past, like a many-jointed snake.
Time passed slowly to the impatient girls. The young man ran up to the tower to make inquiries.
"The operator says our train may be hour late," he reported.
He felt very sorry for their dilemma, but he knew it would be useless to ask the man in charge to make a special trip to let them off.