"Well, walking's free, and the barge costs money," the gnome answers. "Though it won't be coming out of your pocket, so I suppose you won't care," he adds with a slight frown.
It is clear even to Chaku's untrained eye that the gnome would rather have the group wait and walk than use the barge. Is the cost more for the person to take us, or the craft we would need? We could bring ourselves over if it's the cost of the man, I have paddled a few boats in my day. I would just feel better setting out with half a day left before dark rather than waiting and potentially setting out into the twilight hours.