“How much will it cost to go to Christiania in this way?” inquired Wilde, who did not feel quite sure that his funds would stand such a drain.
“Here are the prices in the post-house,” said Ole, as he led the way to a partition on which the posting was put up. “For one mile, one mark six skillings.”
“We know all about it now,” laughed Rodman. “What’s a mark, and what’s a skilling?”
“Twenty-four skillings make a mark, and a skilling is about a halfpenny English,” Ole explained.
“About a cent of our money,” continued Rodman. “One mark and six skillings would be thirty skillings, or about thirty cents.”
“That will never do,” interposed Wilde, shaking his head. “One hundred and fifty miles, at thirty cents a mile, would be forty-five dollars; and I suppose we have to pay for our grub besides.”
“It would come to ten or twelve pounds, and Wilde has only ten pounds,” added Rodman.
“No, no; you are all wrong. That means a Norwegian mile—about seven of ours. It would be only four and two sevenths cents a mile; say, six or seven dollars to Christiania; and the grub would cost as much more,” said Stockwell. “Three pounds will cover the whole expense, and that won’t break any body.”
After considerable discussion, it was agreed to adopt the plan proposed, and Ole was instructed to make the necessary arrangements with the station-master. The party went out to the stable to examine the carioles. They were a kind of gig, without any hood or top, with a small board behind, on which stands or sits the boy who drives the team back to the station after it has left the passenger. Tourists generally purchase the carioles in which they ride, and are not bothered with the boys. The students were not very nice about their accommodations; and finding that when two persons went in the same vehicle only half a fare extra was charged, they decided to engage but five carioles. As the law did not require the station-master to keep this number of horses in waiting, it was necessary to send “forbud” before the party started. This was an order to all the stations on the road to have five horses ready, and may be forwarded by mail or by special messenger, the expense of which was paid by the young tourists.
It was solemnly agreed that the expense should be equally divided, and Burchmore was elected cashier and paymaster. With the assistance of Ole, he changed twelve pounds into Norwegian money, and found himself heavily loaded with the small coins of the country, which would be needed in making change at the stations. After all this important business had been disposed of, the party walked all over the town and its suburbs, and were duly stared at by the astonished people.