“Why, down the valley to Annapolis; an the steamer starts from that to St. John, so it does; an’ it’s twice as near, so it is.” “No, it isn’t.”. “Yes, it is. St. John is only sixty mile from Annapolis, and it’s more’n a hundred an twinty from Windsor.” “But Annapolis is seventy or eighty miles from this place, and Windsor’s only thirty.” “At any rate, it’s easier goin by the way of Annapolis.” “No, it isn’t.” “Yes, it is; you go down the valley, so you do, an the other way you have to go up.” “Pooh! nonsense! The Annapolis valley isn’t a hill. The fact is, from here to St. John it’s easier to go by the way of Windsor.” “It’s further thin--.” “Yes,” said Phil, “it’s a hundred and fifty miles by the way of Windsor, and only a hundred and forty-seven by the way of Annapolis.” “For my part,” said Bart, “I don’t fancy either way. What’s the use of talking about a hundred and fifty miles, when you need only go half that distance?” “Half that distance? How?” “Why, across the bay.” “Across the bay? O! Why, that completely alters the case,” said Bruce. “Of course.” “Sure, but how can we go on fut across the bay? or by stage?” objected Pat. “There don’t seem to be any schooner here,” said Arthur, looking all around. All the others did the same, searching narrowly the whole line of coast. Nothing, however, was visible of the nature of a vessel. Boats there were, however, in plenty, quite commodious too, but none of them sufficiently large to take them so far as St. John. “I’m afraid, Bart, your idea of getting to St. John by water won’t do,” said Bruce. “You’d better make up your mind to come along with us.” “O, I’ll go, of course, along with you; we must stick together as long as we can; but we must settle, first of all, which is the best way to go. You’ll find it most convenient to come to St. John. You can go from there up the bay, and then go over to Prince Edward Island, easier than by any other route.” “Well, I don’t know but that we can, at least as easy as any other way, and so I’ve no objection; but won’t it be best to go to Windsor, or, if you prefer it, to Annapolis?” “Well, let’s find out, first of all, whether there is any chance of going by a more direct way. Old Bennie can tell us all about it.” “Yes, yes,” said Tom, who had thus far taken no part in the discussion, “let’s ask old Bennie; he can tell us what’s best to do.” With these words the boys walked on faster towards where old Bennie was sauntering about with Captain Corbet and Solomon. At the first mention of their wish Bennie energetically refused to say anything about it. “You’ve got to stay here, boys--you’ve got to, you know; an thar’s no use talkin, an that’s all about it--thar now.”