Tom demanded, betraying more interest.

"If I can find the way to do it, or if any of you fellows can,"
was young Prescott's answer.

That started another eager volley of talk. Yet soon all of them
save Dick looked quite hopeless.

The railroad ran only within eight miles of the lake. From the
railway station the rest of the journey was usually made by automobile
stages, while baggage went up on automobile trucks. Charges were
high on this automobile line up into the hills. To send the canoe
by rail, and then transfer it to an automobile truck would cost
more than to transport it direct from Gridley to the lake by wagon.

"We can talk about it all we want," sighed Tom, "but I don't see
the telephone poles on the golden road to Lake Pleasant."

"We've got to find the way if we can," Dick retorted firmly.
"Let's all set about it at once."

"When do we start?" teased Tom.

"Monday morning early," laughed Dave. "And this is late Saturday
afternoon."

Dan Dalzell was not in his usually jovial spirits. His heart
was as much set on going as was Dick's, but Dan now felt that
the pleasure jaunt was simply impossible.