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CHAPTER XXXIV
MR. WOLVERTON'S LETTER

While the boys are meeting with adventures, on their way down the river, we will return to the town of Carver, in which, as it will be remembered, the Burton ranch was located.

There was no one more interested in the progress of the expedition than Aaron Wolverton. It was against his wishes and his interest that Bob should succeed in carrying out his plans. He wanted to get possession of the Burton ranch, and force Mrs. Burton to take him for her second husband. Most of all, perhaps, he wanted to humble the pride of "the Burton boy," as he styled Bob, for he cordially hated him, and was well aware that Bob disliked and despised him. If he could only bring about the failure of Bob's trip, and the loss of his cargo, he would have both Bob and his mother in his power.

Wolverton had been anxiously awaiting intelligence from his agents, and the postmaster was somewhat surprised at his numerous visits to the office for letters.

At length, one morning, Aaron Wolverton's patience was rewarded.

A letter was handed him, directed in an almost illegible scrawl to

MR. A. WOLVERTON, ESQ

It was written by Brown, who was by no means an accomplished scholar.

Wolverton opened it eagerly, and read the following lines:

Mr. Wolverton: I write you these few lines from Rocky Creek. I am pleased to say we have got the bote, and are jest starting for St. Louis with the cargo onbord. If you want to know about the boys, bob burton and the little nigger are locked up in a house in the village belonging to one of my friends, and they won't be let out till it is perfecly saif. We got hold of them by a nise trick. I haven't time to tell you about it now, but when we meat, you shall kno all.

Send that fifty dollars to Mr. J. Brown, St. Louis Post Office. Don't forget! This is important.

Yours to command,

J. Brown.

This letter, ill-spelled as it was, seemed to give Aaron Wolverton unbounded satisfaction. A gratified smile overspread his face, and he said to himself: "That will bring down the Burton pride. That young whipper-snapper will come home with a few less airs than when he set out. The chances are that he'll have to walk home or buy a passage."

Wolverton chuckled at this agreeable thought. He would be revenged upon poor Bob for all the mortifications to which the boy had subjected him: and, to a man of Wolverton's temperament, revenge was sweet.

"You have received good news, Mr. Wolverton," said the postmaster, observing the land agent's evident glee.

"What makes you think so?" asked Wolverton, cautiously.

"I judged from your smiling face."

"It wasn't the letter. I was thinking of something."

"That is only a blind," thought the postmaster. "I saw his face light up when he read the letter. Let me see; it was mailed from Rocky Creek. I will bear that in mind, and some day I may discover the secret."

As Wolverton picked his way through the mud from the post-office to his office, he fell in with Mrs. Burton, who had come to the village on business. He smiled to himself, and prepared to accost her.

"I hope I see you well, Mrs. Burton," he said, with gravity.

"Very well, thank you, Mr. Wolverton," answered the widow, coldly.

"What do you hear from your son?"

"I received a letter yesterday. All was going well with him."

"I am really glad to hear it," said Wolverton, with a queer smile. "Still you must remember that 'there's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip.'"

"What do you mean, Mr. Wolverton?" asked Mrs. Burton, quickly.

"What should I mean?" said Wolverton, in apparent surprise.

"Have you heard any bad news of Robert?"

"Oh, dear, no! I am sorry to say that your son is prejudiced against me, and would hardly favor me with any letter."

Mrs. Burton looked relieved.

"I was only warning you on general principles. 'Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall,' as the Scriptures have it."

"Thank you for the caution," said Mrs. Burton, dryly. "By the way, have you heard anything of your nephew, Sam?"

Wolverton's face darkened.

"No," he answered. "I did think, I confess, that he might have run away with Bob, but I don't think so now."

"If he did, I know nothing of it."

This was true. For obvious reasons, Bob had not taken his mother into his confidence on this subject.

"The boy has shown base ingratitude to me," continued Wolverton, bitterly. "I cared for him and kept him from starving, and how has he rewarded me?"

"If his home was so agreeable as you represent, it is certainly surprising that he should have left you. Good-morning, Mr. Wolverton."

"What did she mean?" Wolverton asked himself. "Some of her sarcasm, I suppose. When she becomes Mrs. Wolverton, I will get even with her."

As nothing had been said of Sam in the letter of his confidential agent, Wolverton no longer suspected that he had gone down the river with Bob Burton. On the whole, as he had Sam's property in his possession, he did not care whether the boy ever returned, except that he would have liked to give him a good flogging.

CHAPTER XXXV
BOB'S ARRIVAL IN ST. LOUIS

Meanwhile Bob and Clip were steaming rapidly down the river. Now that he was pretty sure of recovering his boat and cargo, Bob gave himself up to the enjoyment of the trip, and was fain to confess that he enjoyed it better than working his passage on the ferry-boat. As for Maud, she seemed to feel as much confidence in our hero as if she had known him all her life. She seemed also to appreciate Clip, but in a different way.

"You're a funny boy!" she said.

"Yah, yah, little missy!" laughed Clip.

"Where's your mother?"

"Dunno, missy! I expect she dead."

"My mamma's dead, too. She's in heaven. Is your mamma there too?"

"S'pect so, little missy."

Bob questioned the little girl as to the manner of her abduction. He learned that she had been carried off from the street in which she lived by Brown, who secured her consent by a promise of candy. Then she was put into a carriage, and given something to drink. When she woke up she was on a river steamer, being landed at length at the place where Bob found her.

"Did my papa send you for me?" she asked.

"No, Maud," answered Bob, "but I heard you had been stolen, and I determined to carry you back, if I could."

"On what street does your father live?" asked Bob, later.

"On Laclede Avenue."

"Can you tell me the number?"

This also Maud was able to tell. At the first stopping-place, after he had obtained this information, Bob, appreciating the anxiety of Maud's friends, telegraphed her father as follows:

I have discovered your little daughter, and am on my way to the city with her. She was taken to Rocky Creek, and confined there. Our steamer – the Gazelle – will probably arrive at her wharf to-morrow morning.

Robert Burton.

When this telegram was received, Mr. Pearson was suffering deep grief and anxiety; but the message comforted him not a little.

When the steamer reached the pier, a middle-aged man of medium size and dark complexion was waiting on the wharf.

"That's my papa!" exclaimed Maud, clapping her hands; and the little girl danced on the deck in her joy.

In a moment she was in the arms of her father.

"My darling Maud?" he exclaimed, caressing her fondly. "Thank Heaven I have you back again! Where is Mr. Burton?"

"My name is Robert Burton," said Bob, modestly.

"What, a boy!" exclaimed Mr. Pearson, in amazement. "I supposed the person who telegraphed me was a man."

"He's a nice boy," said Maud, putting her hand confidingly in Bob's.

"I am sure of it," said Mr. Pearson, cordially, grasping the hand of our hero.

"And he's a funny boy," continued Maud, pointing out Clip.

"Yah, yah!" laughed Clip, with a broad grin on his shining face.

"Clip is a companion of mine," explained Bob, "and we came down the river together."

"I am glad to make your acquaintance, Mr. Clip," said Mr. Pearson, smiling, and taking Clip by the hand.

"Yah, yah!" laughed the delighted Clip.

"Now, boys," said Mr. Pearson, as they passed over the gang-plank and set foot upon the wharf, "I shall take you both home with me. I have not yet had an opportunity of asking questions about how you came to find my dear child, and rescue her from her terrible captivity. There stands my carriage. Get in, both of you, and we will go to my home at once."

It was a strange sensation to Clip to find himself riding in a hansom carriage, the favored guest of the wealthy proprietor. He was not sure whether he were awake or dreaming.

They drove rapidly for perhaps a couple of miles, and then stopped in front of an elegant mansion in the upper part of Laclede Avenue. The two boys never expected to enter St. Louis in such grand style.

CHAPTER XXXVI
A THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD

A little awed by the splendid appointments of the merchant's house, Bob and Clip entered, following Mr. Pearson.

A stout, pleasant-looking woman of middle age – the housekeeper – appeared at the door of a side room. She darted forward, and clasped Maud in a fond embrace.

"My darling Maud, how glad I am to see you back!" she said. "I thought we had lost you."

"This is the young man who rescued Maud, Margaret," said Mr. Pearson, pointing to Bob.

"And he so young! I must kiss him, too!" said Margaret; and, considerably to our hero's embarrassment, Margaret gave him a resounding kiss.

"This boy also assisted," said Mr. Pearson, indicating Clip, with a smile.

Margaret hesitated a moment – she was not quite prepared to kiss a colored boy – but compromised by shaking his hand cordially.

"You look like a nice boy, Clip," she said.

"So I is, missus; yah, yah!" responded Clip, laughing.

"Now, Margaret, can you give us something to eat?" said Mr. Pearson.

"It's all ready, sir. I thought you and Miss Maud would be hungry."

"I suspect we are all hungry," said Mr. Pearson, leading the way into a handsome dining-room.

"Now, boys, take your seats," he said.

Clip felt a little awkward, for he was not used to being a guest at a rich man's table, but he did not allow his bashfulness to interfere with the gratification of an excellent appetite.

When the meal was over, Mr. Pearson invited the boys into his library, and seated himself at a desk.

He drew a check-book from a drawer and wrote for a minute. Then he tore off a check, and handed it to Bob.

"This is the reward I offered for the return of my dear daughter," he said. "I have made the check payable to your order."

Bob took it and read as follows:

"First National Bank,

"Pay to the order of Robert Burton,

One Thousand Dollars

"$1000. John Pearson."

"I don't like to take this large sum, Mr. Pearson," said Bob. "I did not rescue your daughter for money."

"I am quite aware of that, my dear boy, but it is a pleasure for me to give you this proof of my gratitude. I am sure you will spend it creditably."

"I shall find it very useful, sir; and I thank you sincerely. May I ask if you do not deal in wheat?"

"That is a part of my business."

"I shall have about fourteen hundred bushels to dispose of if I recover my boat."

"I will give you two dollars and a quarter a bushel, if it is in good condition."

"I accept, sir," answered Bob, promptly. "Now, may I ask your advice as to how to proceed to regain possession of the boat?"

"When do you expect it to arrive?" asked the merchant.

"Probably not till to-morrow, but I can't guess at what part of the day. It depends on how well the thieves succeed in managing the boat."

"I will order my carriage and drive round with you to the Central Police Office. The police will take proper measures to recover the boat and arrest the rascals who robbed you of it."

"Won't it be too much trouble, sir?"

"I shall not count it a trouble, for I shall at the same time be punishing the men who abducted my dear Maud. They will be tried for both offenses, and will probably get a long term of imprisonment."

In an hour information had been lodged at the Central Police Office, and orders had been given to watch the river, and to keep a good lookout for the boat, of which Bob furnished a description.

That night Bob and Clip slept at Mr. Pearson's house, being treated as honored guests.

CHAPTER XXXVII
BROWN AND MINTON WALK INTO A TRAP

Little suspecting the reception awaiting them in St. Louis, Minton and Brown were laboriously guiding their stolen craft down the river. Not being accustomed to labor of any sort, they found the confinement irksome, but the prize for which they were striving was so large that they took it very good-humoredly. They whiled away the time by indulging in visions of future ease and prosperity, and in exchanging witticisms at the expense of Bob, the youthful owner of the boat.

"I wonder how the young captain is enjoying himself," said Minton, as he lay back, with one of the bins for a support, while puffing at a choice cigar.

"He is ready to tear his hair out, I presume," said Brown. "He's a conceited young popinjay, and deserves to have his pride taken down."

"You're right there, Brown. We shall make a tidy sum out of our venture."

"Yes; we can afford to retire for a time. Of course I shall want more than half."

"I don't see that," said Minton, quickly.

"Why, man, I've done all the headwork. What have you done to compare with me?"

"We are equal partners," said Minton, doggedly.

"That is where you are mistaken. I don't mind, though, giving you half of what we get for the girl."

"How shall we arrange to get anything? It is rather a ticklish business – "

"That's where the headwork comes in. I shall wait upon old Pearson, and tell him that I have a clew, and suspect I know who abducted the child. Then I'll work him up to a point where he'll shell out liberally."

"Won't there be risk?"

"How can there be? Leave the thing to me and I'll arrange it. The fact is, Minton, you are a man of no ideas. If I depended on you, you wouldn't make a cent out of one of the neatest jobs I've ever been concerned in."

Minton was conscious that there was some truth in this, and it helped to reconcile him to the evident determination of his companion to appropriate the lion's share of the fruits of their questionable enterprises.

"I suppose Joe's all right?" he said, after a pause.

"Of course he is. What would he make by proving false to us?"

"Nothing, that I can see. Still, if he should do so, it might upset our plans. The boy could afford to pay him well for releasing him."

"That is true," returned Brown, thoughtfully. "On all accounts it will be necessary for us to expedite matters. I sha'n't waste any time once we are in St. Louis."

"You mean in disposing of the cargo?"

"Precisely. I am in no position to haggle about prices. I'll offer it at a bargain to some large dealer. He will naturally think I'm a country gentleman, and clinch the bargain at once. Do you see?"

"Yes, Brown. You've got the right idea."

"Of course I have," said Brown, complacently. "It takes a long head to outwit me. Got another cigar, Minton?"

Minton drew out one and handed to his confederate, and presently took his turn at the rudder.

So time passed, the boat making good progress, and about three o'clock in the afternoon the boat reached an obscure pier in the lower part of St. Louis.

There were some interested persons watching its arrival. Among them were Bob and his friend Clip, and a small squad of policemen. Not suspecting anything, Brown and Minton busied themselves in bringing the boat to anchor. Meanwhile Bob, without being observed, stepped aboard.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Brown! I hope you had a pleasant trip," he said, quietly.

Brown felt as if he had been struck by lightning. Wheeling around suddenly, he saw Bob's eyes fixed upon him. He was absolutely speechless with amazement and consternation.

"Who are you?" he finally ejaculated, quickly resolving to brazen it out, and deny Bob's claim to ownership.

"I think you know me, Mr. Brown!" replied Bob. "I have only to thank you for taking charge of my boat and bringing it safe to St. Louis."

"Look here, young feller!" said Brown, roughly, "you must be crazy. I never saw you before in my life, and here you come on board my boat and claim it as your own. If you don't clear out I'll have you arrested."

"There will be no difficulty about that, Mr. Brown. Here are policemen close at hand."

Mr. Brown's face grew pale as he saw three stalwart policemen marching on board the boat.

"I guess it's all up, Minton!" he said, and made a dash for liberty; but he was not quick enough. He and Minton were quickly secured and marched off, with handcuffs on their wrists. As we are now to bid these gentlemen farewell, it may be said briefly that they pleaded guilty in hopes of a lighter sentence, and were sent to prison for seven years. Thus far the community has been able to spare them without inconvenience.

Bob and Clip resumed charge of the boat, and during the next day disposed of the cargo to Mr. Pearson at the price agreed upon.

CHAPTER XXXVIII
WHAT BOB BROUGHT HOME

After disposing of his cargo, Bob was puzzled to know what to do with the ferry-boat. Finally he had an offer of one hundred dollars, from a speculative Yankee who had drifted out to St. Louis, and gladly accepted it. This sum paid all expenses, including his and Clip's return fare, and left him with a handsome sum to his credit, viz.:

This sum, with the exception of one hundred and fifty dollars, by advice of Mr. Pearson, he deposited in a St. Louis bank, and then started for home.

He could not make the whole passage by steamer, but went part way by railroad, and then engaged a carriage to a point four miles from home. Thence he and Clip walked. He wanted to surprise not only his mother, but Wolverton. He knew now that Brown and Minton had only been agents of his more crafty enemy, Brown having made a written confession, not so much out of friendship to Bob as out of spite against Wolverton, whom he held responsible for getting him into this scrape.

With soiled shoes and clothes covered with dust, Bob and Clip entered the village, and purposely walked by Wolverton's office.

The latter, spying them through the window, smiled maliciously, and hurried out to meet them.

"Aha, my young friends," he said, with a pleased glance at their soiled clothes, "so you have returned?"

"Yes, sir," answered Bob, soberly.

"And what luck did you have, may I ask?"

"We had good luck at first, but at Rocky Creek two rascals entrapped us, and stole our boat and cargo."

Wolverton laughed outright. So it was true, after all.

"Excuse my smiling," he said; "but you seem to have come out at the little end of the horn."

"It does seem so, sir."

"You remember what I told you before you started?"

"What was that?"

"That you were too young for such an expedition. It would have been much better for you to accept my offer."

"It seems so," answered Bob again.

"Seems so! Of course it would have been. But the trouble was, you were so puffed up by your own self-conceit that you thought you knew best."

"I plead guilty to that, sir; I did think so," answered Bob, candidly.

"I am glad you admit it. So you had to walk back?"

"You can judge for yourself, Mr. Wolverton."

"Well, you certainly do look like two tramps. The next time you may feel like following my advice."

"I may," answered Bob.

It did occur to Mr. Wolverton that Bob's answers were rather unusual, and his manner rather queer; quite unlike his usual tone and manner. But this he readily accounted for. The boy's pride had been humbled. He knew now that he was in Wolverton's power, and he had the sense to be humble, in the hope of making better terms.

"But it won't do," said the agent to himself. "He will find that I will have what is mine, and he cannot soften my heart by any appeal to my pity."

"It appears to me you are in rather a scrape," he said, after a pause.

"How is that."

"Why, a part of your mortgage comes due in a short time. I hope you don't expect me to wait."

"No doubt you will be considerate, Mr. Wolverton, remembering what luck we have had."

"No, I won't!" snarled Wolverton. "Don't flatter yourself so far. I am not responsible for your misfortune, or folly, as I call it."

"Still, Mr. Wolverton – "

"Oh, it's no use to talk!" continued the agent, raising his hand impatiently. "You have been a fool, and you must suffer the penalty of your folly."

"Has Sam got back, Mr. Wolverton?" asked Bob, changing the subject, rather to Mr. Wolverton's surprise.

"No; have you seen him?" asked the agent, eagerly.

"Yes, sir."

"Where?" asked Wolverton, quickly.

"The fact is, we discovered him on our boat soon after we started."

"You did!" ejaculated the agent, his eyes almost starting out of his head. "Why didn't you send him back?"

"Because he said you didn't treat him well, and begged to stay."

"Young man, do you know I could have you arrested for abducting my nephew?" demanded Wolverton, angrily.

"Was it my fault that he hid himself on my boat?"

"Where is he now?" asked Wolverton, abruptly.

"He left the boat at a point on the way."

"Where was it?"

"You must excuse my answering that question. Sam wouldn't like it."

"What difference does that make?"

"Sam is my friend. I think, however, you will soon know, as he means to come back."

Wolverton smiled triumphantly.

"I shall be glad to see him," he said, significantly. Bob knew what that meant.

"You must excuse me now, Mr. Wolverton," said Bob. "I must hurry home, as mother will be anxious to see me."

"Tell her I shall call very soon – on business."

"I will."

When they were out of hearing the boys laughed in amusement. They had a surprise in store for Wolverton.