"That you take Chet and me with you on your trip north. I know you would prefer men, but we are not so young, and each of us is strong and healthy, and we can do about as much as a man. We are both used to cold weather, and to roughing it, and you know we can shoot, and tramp over the ice and snow--and cook. We talked this over between us, and we'd like to go very much. We don't want any pay, or any reward. All we want is our food, and some ammunition, and we are perfectly willing to rough it along with the rest. We are both practically alone in the world, so nobody will be worried over us, even if we don't come back alive." "Yes, but you want to come back, don't you?" asked Barwell Dawson, quizzically. "Of course. But we realize the danger, and we are ready to face it." "We'll go wherever you go," broke in Chet. "And we'll do just whatever you want us to do. As Andy says, we are used to roughing it, and I think both of us can stand as much as anybody. Why, I don't know that I've had a sick day in my life." "And I have been sick very little--none at all since I grew up," added Andy. The hunter and explorer looked sharply at the two boys. He saw by the clear look in their eyes that they were honest to the core, and in earnest in all they said. "Well, it is something not to have any family ties," he said. "I have two friends who wish to go along, but both have wives, and one has two children. I don't think it would be fair to take them. I am a bachelor myself, and my relatives do not care what I do. I believe if I died, all some of them would think about would be my money." He added the last words rather bitterly. "Then you will consider taking us?" pleaded Andy. "Yes, I will consider it. But I must think it over a week or two before I give you my answer. When a man plans such a trip as this, he cannot be too careful as to who are his companions. I must say I like you lads very much, and I haven't forgotten how you aided me at the cliff. But I must have time to think it over carefully, and make a few inquiries." With this the lads had to be content, and for the time being the subject was dropped. But later on Barwell Dawson showed his interest by asking them a great number of questions about themselves. "I think he'll take us along," whispered Chet to Andy, on retiring for the night. "And I sincerely hope he does. It may give me a chance to find out what became of the _Betsey Andrews_ and my father." "Don't be too sure of our going," answered Andy. "If you are, you may be bitterly disappointed." In the morning it was decided that the two lads should accompany Barwell Dawson to the lodge he had occupied back of Moose Ridge. They went along gladly, wishing to become better acquainted with the hunter and explorer. The storm had now cleared away entirely, the wind had died down, and the clear sun shone upon the ice and snow with great brilliancy.