He reached over, picked up the book with the green cover and opened it.
“This explains your activities,” he continued, smiling. “Come on down with me and I’ll go back with you this afternoon—all the way back to my camp. And be your Doc Watson, going and coming.”
“Have you read that book, Uncle Bill?”
“Yes, years ago—and several more about the same smart feller. You come along down with me while I get some grub and mail a few letters, and I’ll buy you all the other books first chance I get. And I’ll bring you in again.”
Young Dan shook his head.
“I’m this far, and I’ll keep right on a-goin’ till I’m ready to quit.”
Uncle Bill looked at his nephew and saw determination in his face. “Well, then,” he said, “I’ll help you around with your canoe, anyway. You can pole right up to the camp—if that’s where you are bound for. I’d go back with you but for a couple of important letters I have to post.”
Together they carried Young Dan’s old canoe round the falls. Uncle Bill’s lean, dark face wore an unusually thoughtful expression as he watched his nephew embark.
“I’ll tell your Ma that I met you and that you will stay in the camp over night,” he said.
“But maybe I won’t, Uncle Bill,” said Young Dan. “I didn’t calculate on stoppin’ upstream over night unless I found somethin’ to keep me—an important clue or somethin’. They’re expectin’ me home.”