"I wonder how the young captain is enjoying himself," said Minton, as he lay back, with one of the bins5 for a support, while puffing6 at a choice cigar.
"He is ready to tear his hair out, I presume," said Brown. "He's a conceited[Pg 313] 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?"
"That is where you are mistaken. I don't mind, though, giving you half of what we get for the girl."
"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 abducted9 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[Pg 314] 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 questionable10 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."
"Precisely12. I am in no position to haggle13 about prices. I'll offer it at a bargain to some large dealer14. He will naturally think I'm a country gentleman, and clinch15 the bargain at once. Do you see?"[Pg 315]
"Yes, Brown. You've got the right idea."
"Of course I have," said Brown, complacently16. "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 pier17 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 squad18 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 fixed19 upon him. He was absolutely speechless with amazement20 and consternation21.
"Who are you?" he finally ejaculated,[Pg 316] quickly resolving to brazen22 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 briefly23 that they pleaded guilty in hopes of a lighter24 sentence, and were sent to prison for seven years. Thus[Pg 317] 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.
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1
labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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laboriously
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| adv.艰苦地；费力地；辛勤地；（文体等）佶屈聱牙地 | |
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3
confinement
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| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
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4
witticisms
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| n.妙语，俏皮话( witticism的名词复数 ) | |
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5
bins
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| n.大储藏箱( bin的名词复数 )；宽口箱（如面包箱，垃圾箱等）v.扔掉，丢弃( bin的第三人称单数 ) | |
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6
puffing
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| v.使喷出( puff的现在分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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7
doggedly
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| adv.顽强地，固执地 | |
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8
ticklish
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| adj.怕痒的；问题棘手的；adv.怕痒地；n.怕痒，小心处理 | |
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9
abducted
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| 劫持，诱拐( abduct的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（肢体等）外展 | |
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10
questionable
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| adj.可疑的，有问题的 | |
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11
cargo
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| n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 | |
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12
precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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13
haggle
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| vi.讨价还价，争论不休 | |
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14
dealer
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| n.商人，贩子 | |
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15
clinch
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| v.敲弯，钉牢；确定；扭住对方 [参]clench | |
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16
complacently
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| adv. 满足地, 自满地, 沾沾自喜地 | |
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17
pier
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| n.码头；桥墩，桥柱；[建]窗间壁，支柱 | |
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18
squad
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| n.班，小队，小团体；vt.把…编成班或小组 | |
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19
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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20
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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21
consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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22
brazen
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| adj.厚脸皮的，无耻的，坚硬的 | |
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23
briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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24
lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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