Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/268

 caught your words. I do not want any of you to make this trip now. Wait till your guide returns and overtakes you. Surely, there can be no need of hurry.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, Miss Laura,” said Abner. “It’s got to be done in a rush.”

“If that is the case,” she slowly said, “the boys must go with you. It would be a crime to let you make the trip alone.”

“Hurrah! ain’t she a brick?” cried Bub, swinging his hat.

“The court seems to be against you, Mr. Whitten,” laughed Stanley. “When do we start?”

“Right after dinner,” growled Abner, filling his pipe viciously. “And if any fool younkers meet with trouble, Abner H. Whitten ain’t to be blamed.”

After the three young folks had retreated triumphantly, Abner remarked, “Two of the best younkers a man ever had with him. That feller, Reddy, would kill out any case of blues just by gitting ye into trouble. It’s been like a three-ring circus ever since we left Kennebago stream.”

“I like them immensely,” heartily assured the professor. “But now as to the trip. Take one of my canoes and follow Briar stream.