Part 15 (1/2)
”Are you two bound for the Klondike?” at length asked Earl
”Of course,” was Roland's sharp reply ”What else would we be doing up here?”
”What started you--the fact that ere going?”
”Well, I allow as that had a little to do with it, Earl; but Guardley got a letter from a friend of his who is up there now--a ht to co How are youvery well”
”You and your brother came on with your uncle, didn't you?”
”Yes”
”Any others in the party?”
”Yes; two men”
Tom Roland's eyes dropped for a moment ”Me and Guardley have been havin' rather a hard road of it, all alone,” he went on ”We've been thinking of joining forces with somebody”
”Well, our crowd is complete,” answered Earl, quickly
”Then you won't consider taking in two , of course, we do our share of work and pay our share of the expenses”
”I don't think so, Roland”
”Who is at the head of your party?”
”nobody in particular; we all work together”
”Maybe you had better speak to the boy's uncle,” put in Guardley ”Coht hesitation Tom Roland folloith Earl at his side Foster Portney was foundRandy was beside him and uttered a cry when he beheld the two men from Basco
”Tom Roland and Jasper Guardley!” he whispered to his uncle ”Those are the felloe thought got that money on a false identification!”
”Is that so?” returned Foster Portney ”What can Earl be bringing them here for?”
”This is Mr Portney, I take it,” said Guardley, after clearing his throat aardly ”I was thinking--”
”He and his friend want to join us,” put in Earl ”I told them that our party was complete”
”Hullo, Randy!” broke in Roland, carelessly ”You'd like us to coered at the request, co ”No, I guess not,” he said
”Why, what's the rily ”We are all Maine folks, and friends ought to stick together, seems to me”