"To think of the Cap actually takin' the trouble to see us off," murmured Tim; "ain't it odd?"
"And Jimmy of Sellade, too," laughed Dick. "Our cup of joy is brimming over."
In another half hour, Tommy, glancing out the window, espied the lumberman and former steamboat captain headed across the clearing, and the crowd, at a nod from Uncle Stanley, rushed out.
Captain Slater was stout, heavy-featured, gray-bearded, authoritative in manner, and quick to take offense.
"Rah, rah, rah for Cap Slater!" yelled Jack. "Now, boys—one, two, three!"
"Rah, rah, rah!" howled a chorus.
Their lusty yells brought Pete Colliver and Jimmy around the men's cabin on a run.
The lumberman came striding over, the effect of walking a considerable distance at a rapid rate causing him to mop his brow with a huge red handkerchief.
"Wal, my hearties!"—he greeted them in a gruff, heavy voice. "Actually ready to git—actually! Howdy, Lovell! Sorry to see 'em go, ain't ye?—declar' to thunder I am; an' that's somethin' Jere Slater never thought he'd be."
"Oh, we knew you would, all right," said Jack, with a grin.