He was scanning the arriving passengers impatiently, evidently as eager and full of haste as I.
I approached him.

"Mr.Wells ?" said I.
"Mr.Strock ?" asked he.
"Yes." "I am at your command," said Mr.Wells.
"Are we to stop any time in Toledo ?" I asked.
"No; with your permission, Mr.Strock.A carriage with two good horses is waiting outside the station; and we must leave at once to reach our destination as soon as possible." "We will go at once," I answered, signing to my two men to follow us.
"Is it far ?" "Twenty miles." "And the place is called ?" "Black Rock Creek." Having left our bags at a hotel, we started on our drive.

Much to my surprise I found there were provisions sufficient for several days packed beneath the seat of the carriage.

Mr.Wells told me that the region around Black Rock Creek was among the wildest in the state.
There was nothing there to attract either farmers or fishermen.

We would find not an inn for our meals nor a room in which to sleep.
Fortunately, during the July heat there would be no hardship even if we had to lie one or two nights under the stars.
More probably, however, if we were successful, the matter would not occupy us many hours.