Now what was to be done next? Where was the raft, and was it the
_Venture_ or not? At one moment Winn was certain that it was, while
the next found him again doubtful.
At length it was decided that Solon should remain with his brother for
the present, while the others should go to a hotel in the city across
the river. From there Billy Brackett would telegraph to the
authorities of towns farther down, asking them to watch for an
abandoned raft, and if they found it to hold it until he could go on
and prove ownership. The raft being described as belonging to a Major
Caspar, Winn's name was signed to all these despatches, in order to
prevent confusion.
From the hotel Billy Brackett also thought it best to telegraph Major
Caspar of their safe arrival in St. Louis, though, as they had not yet
recovered the raft, it would be unnecessary for him to come on, and a
promise to write full particulars at once. In the Major's absence from
home this despatch was opened by Mrs. Caspar, who had been growing very
anxious of late concerning the voyagers on the great river. The moment
she read it she sat down and wrote another despatch to her husband, who
was in Chicago. It was:
"Raftmates in St. Louis. Southern Hotel. Please join them
immediately."
"Just ten words," she said to herself, with a complacent sigh, as she
handed this to the waiting messenger.
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