Part 40 (1/2)
”Well, you present a truly remarkable proposition,” observed Ralph.
”Isn't it? It's a reality, all the same. And it's the key to a situation worth hundreds of thousands.”
”You mystify me,” acknowledged Ralph,--”allowing you are in earnest.”
”Absolutely in earnest. No jos.h.i.+ng. I'm quite interested, too, for I'm one of the two men who have built the railroad so far.”
”Who is the other?”
Van shook his head.
”That's a secret, for the present. I think you'll know soon, though--soon as you see Mr. Gibson.”
Ralph had to be content with this. He comprehended that there was some basis to Van's railroad pretensions, and felt very curious concerning the same.
At about eleven o'clock that night Van's predictions as to the difficulties in the way of progress were fully verified.
They were apparently in the midst of an untrodden forest. The brush was jungle-like, the ground one continuous sweep of hill and dale.
It took one breathless, arduous hour to cover a mile, and their clothes and hands were scratched and torn with thorns and brambles.
”It's a little better beyond the creek,” said Van. ”A man could hide in a wilderness like this a good many years in a safe way, eh, Fairbanks?”
”Yes, indeed,” answered Ralph, and mentally wondered if his companion was alluding to the mysterious Farwell Gibson.
They were a wearied and travel-worn pair as they lay down to rest at the first token of daybreak. It was at the edge of a level expansive sweep surmounted by a dense growth of trees.
”We're nearly there,” proclaimed Van.
”How near?” interrogated Ralph.
”You see that hill?”
”Yes.”
”That's our last climb.”
”I'm thankful,” said Ralph.
They tramped up the slope after a bit. Once over its edge Ralph, looking ahead, made out a low rambling log house. It was about half a mile away, and smoke was coming out of its chimney.
”Now then,” said Van with a smile, ”I reckon this is about as close as you need come, for the present--it's a great deal closer than many others have come.”
”This is a very isolated spot,” said Ralph.
”That's Mr. Gibson's house yonder,” continued Van. ”I'll go on alone, see him, report, and come back and advise you.”
”That's business,” said Ralph.