 Why did Don want to walk by the creek?
A National Guard officer volunteered to take a jeep down into the pit, having found a spot that seemed navigable. Don Cort had been dozing in what passed for the club car on the Buckeye Cannonball when the train braked to a stop. Don made his way up to the locomotive and found a bigger knot of people gathered in front of the cowcatcher. Don Cort and the fireman walked cautiously toward the edge while the professor ambled ahead with the familiarity of one who had been there before. He didn't have to stand on tiptoe any more than he had to sit on the edge of his seat during the exciting part of a movie, but the situation seemed to call for it.
 to learn more about the levitating town
 to see if they could get off of Superior via the creek  to learn more about the levitating town  to get to know Alis better  to help get rid of the handcuff