So it would seem like throwing a thousand
dollars into the river. Then, again, I don't see how it will be
possible to land it, and so lighten the raft. It would take me a month
to do it alone with my canoe. Besides, father is sure to set out on a
hunt for the raft the moment he finds it is gone, and so is likely to
come along most any time."
"All the greater need for haste," thought Mr. Gilder; but aloud he
said, "That is very true, but in the mean time your raft will probably
break up, and your wheat be spilled in the river anyway. Now suppose
you agree to pay me and my partners a hundred dollars to get the wheat
ashore for you and reload it after the raft floats."
"I haven't a cent of money with me," replied Winn.
"That's bad," said the other, reflectively. "It's awkward to travel
without money. But I'll tell you what we'll do. I hate to see a
decent young fellow like you in such a fix, and I'm willing to take a
risk to help him out of it. Suppose I buy your wheat? I told you that
I and my partners were river traders. To be sure, our business is
mostly in logs, lumber, and the like; but I don't mind taking an
occasional flyer in wheat, provided they are willing. You say your
father expects to get fifty cents a bushel for this wheat. Now I'll
give you forty-five cents a bushel for it; that is, if my partners
agree.
Pages:
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64