'll be able to learn somethin' in Skagway."

So when the steamer left the dock they were on board.

The trip to Skagway was a decidedly interesting one, and the youths
listened closely to all the old miner had to tell them about the
country and its inhabitants.

"It's changin' amazingly fast," said Jack Wumble. "They are clearin'
out ship channels an' buildin' railroads, and towns spring up like
magic. Now whar I'm located--a place called Black Run--thar wasn't a
house thar three years ago. Now we got a store an' a dozen shacks, an'
more buildin' every day! I tell you, I think Alaska is one o' the
greatest countries in the world!"

There was a greater bustle and confusion than ever when the steamer
tied up at Skagway. Here a connection can be made with the White Pass
and Yukon route, and other routes. About ten miles away, up the Lynn
Canal, was Dyea, also a town of importance.

The boys followed Jack Wumble ashore and waited until some of the
bustle and confusion was over, and then commenced a systematic hunt for
Tom.

The hunt lasted until nearly midnight, and then, utterly worn out, the
Rovers and the old miner had to give it up. They had met just one man
who remembered having seen a person who looked like Tom on the steamer,
and who said the fellow had landed at Skagway. But where the unknown
had gone the man could not say.

"Yes, that's the fellow," said the man, when shown Tom's photograph.
"But he didn't look quite as nice as that. He looked--well, wild like."

"He is wild," answered Dick. "That is why we want to find him."

Jack Wumble knew of a fairly good hotel, and the three put up there for
the night. The boys were so tired they slept "like logs," as Dick said
afterwards. But they were up bright and early, along with the old
miner, and directly after breakfast set out on another search for Tom.

"I hate to waste your time, Jack," said Dick to Wumble. "So if you
want to go ahead----"

"Stop right thar, Dick!" cried the old miner. "I ain't in sech an
all-fired hurry I can't try to do ye a good turn. I like Tom, an' I'm
going to stay with ye fer a few days an' see if we can't locate him."
And thus the matter was settled.

Two days were spent in Skagway and Dyea hunting for the missing one.
Late in the afternoon of the second day the boys and the old miner
separated, to make inquiries in different places.

Sam and Dick came back to the hotel at supper time much discouraged,
having