Cherry turned to the fisherman. "You can't get ready so soon, George."
"I'm ready now," answered the big fellow.
She felt a sudden dread at her heart. What if they failed and did not return? What if some untoward peril should overtake them on the outward trip? It was a hazardous journey, and George Balt was the most reckless man on the Behring coast. She cast a frightened glance at Emerson, but none of the men noticed it. Even if they had observed the light that had come into those clear eyes, they would not have known it for the dawn of a new love any more than she herself realized what her reasonless fears betokened. She had little time to ponder, however, for Emerson's next words added to her alarm:
"We'll catch the mail-boat at Katmai."
"Katmai!" she broke in, sharply. "You said you were going by the
Iliamna route."
"The other is shorter."
She turned on Balt, angrily. "You know better than to suggest such a thing."
"I didn't suggest it," said Balt. "It's Mr. Emerson's own idea; he insists."
"I'm for the long, safe proposition every time," Fraser announced, as if settling the matter definitely, languidly filling his pipe.
Boyd's voice broke in curtly upon his revery. "You're not going with us."