"If you thrash him, you thrash the whole of us, Great Britain," said Rodman.
"What kind of a way is that?" demanded the disgusted Briton.
"We won't have any fight over this matter," added Stockwell. "Jump in, and let us be off."
"We'll settle it when we get to that place," replied Clyde, seeing that this opportunity was lost.
The procession resumed its journey, and in half an hour arrived at Tinoset. As it was early in the season, the hotel was not crowded, as it sometimes is. The town is at the foot of Lake Tins, upon which the little steamer Rjukan made three trips a week each way. The boat was to depart the next morning for Ornæs, which is only a few miles from the Rjukanfos. Sanford declared that the most direct route to Christiania was by steamer through this lake, and then by cariole the rest of the journey. Ole, of course, backed up all he said, and most of the boys wished to go that way. For some reason or other, Burchmore kept still, though he did not assent to the coxswain's plan, and the question was still open when the tourists were called to supper.
"Ole, I want to see you alone," said the cashier, after the meal was finished.
Burchmore led the way to the lake, where they found a retired place.
"What money have you for me?" demanded the astonished Norwegian.
"How much did Sanford give you for humbugging us?"
"The coxswain gave you a sovereign for fooling us. I'll give you five species, which is more than a sovereign, if you do what I want."
"In the first place, where are you taking us?"
"Nonsense!" exclaimed the cashier, producing his book. "I know all about it. You ought to have gone to Lysthus, instead of taking the left hand road. We are two Norwegian miles out of our way now. Sanford has paid you a sovereign to lead us to some place he wishes to visit. Where is it?"
"Bah! I know better! The story that no horses could be had at Apalstö was a humbug. I'll give you five species if you will do as I tell you."
Ole looked complacent, and held out his hand for the money.
"I don't pay till the work is done; but my word is as good as my bond."
The waif had an "itching palm," and, after considerable discussion, the terms of payment were settled.
"Now, where are we going?" asked the cashier.