"Now if John acts promptly, he
may catch those crazy boys before they have the chance to start off on
any other absurd expedition. I only hope to goodness that he'll have
the sense to bring them home, and let that wretched raft drift where it
likes."
Major Caspar could not start for St. Louis the next day, but he did so
on the following morning, and late that same evening he walked into the
office of the Southern Hotel. He was beginning to make inquiries at
the desk, when his hand was seized and violently shaken. Turning
quickly, he at once recognized his faithful old army friend Cap'n Cod,
and gave him a cordial greeting.
"But where are the others?" he inquired at length.
"Gone down the river an hour ago, by the Short Line," was the
unexpected reply. "You see, we only got word this evening that an
abandoned raft, answering our description, had just been picked up near
Cairo, and Mr. Brackett thought it best that he and Winn should go on
at once to indentify it. It was also decided that Sabella and I should
remain here until we heard from them, because it might not be the
_Venture_, you know, and then I'm not sure that we want to go any
farther down the river, anyway. You see, since losing the _Whatnot_,
I've rather lost interest--"
"Losing the _Whatnot_!" interrupted the Major.
Pages:
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231