“All right; look up a boat, Norway,” replied Sanford, as though entirely willing to adopt this plan.
Ole walked about the place for half an hour, accompanied by three of the boys. Perhaps he was careful not to find what he wanted; at any rate, no boat seemed to be available for the purpose desired, and when the excursionists met again, it was reported that no boat suitable for the accommodation of the party could be found.
“Then can’t we engage horses, and go round to Christiansand by land?” inquired Burchmore.
“In carioles?” queried Ole, with an odd smile.
“Carioles or wagons; anything we can find.”
“You can, but it will take you a day and a half,” replied Ole.
“A day and a half to go twenty miles.”
“About seventy miles by land,” added Ole. “You must go almost up to the north pole before you can cross the river.”
“O, nonsense!” exclaimed Burchmore, who could not help feeling that Ole was not altogether reliable on his figures and facts.
“If you don’t believe it, go and ask the postmaster, or any one in the town,” continued the waif.