Mr. Parker briefly explained, and there were more introductions.
“Kinder wedged in, ain’t they?” inquired Mr. Kane. “Guess I’d better play block and tackle.”
With that he put out an arm, caught Step by the collar, and fairly swung him to the ground. Whereupon Step’s friends swarmed over the side of the sleigh, and fell to stamping their feet vigorously, in an effort to quicken sluggish circulation.
“Go in, boys, go in,” Mr. Kane urged hospitably. “Go in and warm up. Goin’ to let these fellers stay with me, ain’t ye?” he added.
“Yes,” said Mr. Parker. “Hope you can put ’em up, and put up with them, for a day or two, while Warren and I go farther on.”
“Sartain sure! Plenty o’ room, and grub, and blankets. Only ain’t ye goin’ to stop at the Hotel de Kane?”
“On the way out we will. Just now I’m anxious to get in touch with Wells——”
“Wal, now, if he didn’t go through to No. 2, not half an hour ahead of ye!”
Mr. Parker cast a weatherwise look at the sky, and gathered up the reins.
“Then I think Warren and I will push on,” said he. “There’s a feel of more snow in the air, Kane. So, if you’ll just keep a sharp eye on these young scamps and show them what a lumber camp is like——”