“Yes, sir,” answered Fred.
“At one of the hotels?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then my advice to you is to telegraph there for money.”
“I hadn’t thought of that,” said Fred quickly. “That’s the very thing we’ll do. Come on, Jack,” he added, turning to his companion. “We’ll go to the telegraph office right away. Will you tell us where it is, please?” he asked of the restaurant keeper.
Stepping outside his door the proprietor pointed to the office and after they had thanked him for his kindness John and Fred at once started for the place.
Their troubles, however, were not ended, for again they found their appearance decidedly against them. The telegraph operator refused to take any message that should be paid for at Mackinac. He also refused to listen to any of their explanations and in response to the appeals of the boys explained that he had to be governed by the rules of the office.
Even with all their protests and pleadings the boys were unable to induce the operator to change his decision. He still refused to accept the message and as the boys were without money it was impossible for them to prepay it.
Fred and John when they withdrew from the telegraph office were not so disconsolate as they had been when they had met their first rebuff. The ample breakfast they had secured had done much to bring back their courage and again they were Go Ahead Boys in earnest.
On the sidewalk the two boys stopped once more to think over their difficult condition.