Part 9 (1/2)

”You're not sorry we're going, are you?” demanded Randy, quickly

”Sorry? Not a bit of it But it doesn't pay to be too sanguine, Randy, my boy”

Quarter of an hour passed, and the jaan to become uncomfortable Brawny men predominated, but there were also irls to wish their lovers good-luck, and children to catch a last embrace from their parents Many of the women were in tears, and a nuether the scene was rather a sober one

”What can be keeping Uncle Foster?” asked Randy, as theslipped by ”I don't see him anywhere, do you?”

Earl did not, and he was as anxious as his brother Back and forth they pushed their way, but without success Then Earl looked at the silver watch he carried ”Ten o on board and stand where Uncle Foster can see us,” suggested Randy, in a tone of voice which was far fro their uncle should not turn up, what should they do? To go alone on that trip seemed out of the question

Luckily they had their tickets, so getting on board was not difficult

A nulanced at them curiously

”Goin' ter Alaska?” asked one brawny fellohose face was alled beard ”Well, well! Ain't yer it done up?”

”We'll try to keep on top,” answered Earl The felloished to continue the conversation, but both Earl and Randy were too impatient just then to listen to him, and moved off to another part of the boat

Fivearound shouting: ”All ashore that's going! We sail in five ang-plank--it was a hasty handshake and a last good-by on every side The boys looked at each other doubtfully

”If he doesn't coht in the crowd of a hat that he recognized ”Uncle Foster! Uncle Foster Portney! Cos

Mr Portney, in the jam of people below, heard and looked up In a ht of his nephews and he shook his hand at the-plank, the last of the passengers to coave the boys an odd save you a scare,” he said ”I didn't er than I intended, and then there was a blockade of street cars and I had to walk it But we're all right now, I reckon,” he added, gazing around ”Good-by to San Francisco! When we see her again old!” And he took off his soft felt hat and waved it at the crowd on shore

The boat was noinging clear of the wharf and thousands of hats and handkerchiefs aving ”There she goes!” ”Hurrah for Alaska!” ”If you strike it rich, let us know!” ”God be with you!” These and a hundred other cries rang out, and they were kept up until the steamer was far out in the stream and on her way up the bay to the Golden Gate

The run to the Gate did not take long, and by theout boldly into the Pacific Ocean, on her way aly, and now a heavy h to leave the deck and arrange their stateroom It contained four berths, two for theer as down on the shi+p's list as Captain Luke Zoss

”I wonder who Captain Zoss can be?” said Randy to Earl, when the door of the stateroo open, and the bushy-bearded man who had spoken to them on deck came in He stared at them in surprise for a second, then burst into a hearty fit of laughter

”Wall! wall! So it's you as are goin' ter be ht, lads, glad ter have ye” He held out a brawny hand ”My handle is Luke Zoss, but most of the boys know me as Cap'n Luke May I be so inquisitive as to ask your names?”

”My name is Earl Portney, and this is my brother Randy,” answered Earl

The hearty way of the stranger pleased him, and he was sure he should like Zoss

”Portney, eh? I used ter know a man by thet name--Foster Portney, o'

Colorady”

”Why, he's our uncle, and he is with us!” cried Randy, and just then his uncle came in, and he and Captain Zoss shook hands They hadsuperintendent, and knew each other quite well

”All bound fer the Klondike!” exclaimed the captain ”Hooray! We're sure to strike it, eh, Portney? I know you wouldn't be a-goin' thar unless gold was to be picked up Goin' over Chilkoot Pass, I take it” Foster Portney nodded ”Then we ether, eh? It will be better than pairing off with soht be wuss nor a hoss thief, eh? O' course it would!”