As long as I stay here I shall keep thinking of that terrible underground river over there.

I think of it and dream of it all the time, and sometimes it seems as if it were only waiting and watching for a chance to swallow me again.

I should love dearly to have Ruth go with me too, though I am quite sure I am strong enough to take care of myself"; and he turned towards his mother with a smile.
Ruth said, "Oh, mother, I should love to go, but I can't bear to leave you! so, whichever way you decide, I shall be perfectly satisfied and contented." It was finally decided that they should both go.

Mark was to accompany Ruth as far as Savannah, and see her safely on board the ship; then, unless he received a pressing invitation from Captain May to go with him to New York, he was to go by steamer to Boston, and there take another steamer for Bangor.
This was the both of May, and as the Wildfire was to sail on or about the 15th, they must be in Savannah on that day; therefore no time was to be lost in making preparations for the journey.
Such busy days as the next three were! such making of new clothes and mending of old, to be worn on the journey! so many things to be thought of and done! Even Aunt Chloe became excited, and prepared so many nice things for "Misto Mark an' Missy Rufe to eat when dey's a-trabblin'" that Mark actually laughed when he saw them.
"Why, Aunt Clo," he explained, "you have got enough there to last us all the time we're gone.

Do you think they don't have anything to eat up North ?" "Dunno, honey," answered the old woman, gazing with an air of great satisfaction at the array of goodies.