human
What a beard you've got, Uncle Foster! were Randy's first words, as he winced at the close grip Foster Portney gave his hand.
gpt
You look like all the rest of the Westerners around here!
human
I'm glad we had no trouble in finding you, put in Earl, whose hand also tingled from the grip given it. He remembered now that his uncle had always been considered an unusually strong man.
gpt
I know he'll stand the Alaskan climate well enough, even if we don't,
human
Didn't have any trouble getting here, did you? questioned Foster Portney.
gpt
Your message came on time?
human
We had a little set-back in Boston,
gpt
That was too bad, truly, lads. But it's the loss of that firm of bankers and brokers. They ought to have been sure of the identification. And you think the thieves were two men named Roland and Guardley? They must be thorough rascals.
human
We are not sure, broke in Randy, hastily.
gpt
It only looks that way.
human
I see. Foster Portney mused for a moment.
gpt
Well, we can't lose time in trying to investigate. I was hoping you two boys would turn up to-day or to-morrow. Day after to-morrow a boat sails for Juneau, and if I rustle around I think I can secure passage for ourselves and our traps. If we don't catch this boat, we'll have to wait two weeks, or else take a train for Portland and wait ten days.
human
But we haven't a thing, Uncle Foster, cried Randy.
gpt
That is, outside of our clothing, which is in our trunks, on check at the railroad station.
human
And that clothing, for the most part, will have to be left behind, Randy. For a country like Alaska one must be differently dressed than here. Each of you will have to have a suit of furs and plenty of flannels and all that sort of thing.
gpt
And where shall we get them?
human
There is a regular outfitting store not far from here. But the first thing to be done, now you have turned up, is to secure those passage tickets to Juneau. The Alaskan fever is setting in strong here, and we'll not be alone on our trip over Chilkoot Pass and along the headwaters of the Yukon.
gpt
I'm in the dark about this trip, I must confess, said Earl.
human
Where is this pass you mention, and where is the Klondike Creek, or River?
gpt
I'll show you the route to-night, boys, on a map just issued by our government, the best map out so far. But come along to that steamboat office, or we'll get left.