CHAPTER XXIV. HOW RUFUS GOT BACK.

 It happened that Smith espied¹ the man whom he wished to meet, from the car-window, just as it turned into Canal Street. He got out, therefore, and, adjourning² to a whiskey saloon, the two discussed a matter of business in which they were jointly³ interested, and then separated. Thus Smith was enabled to return home sooner than he had anticipated. He little suspected that his prisoner had escaped, as he walked complacently⁴ by on the opposite sidewalk.

 

"It's lucky I saw him," said Humpy. "He might have nabbed us."

 

"He wouldn't have nabbed me," said Rufus, resolutely⁵. "He'd have found it hard work to get me back."

 

"He's stronger than you," said Humpy, doubtfully.

 

"I'd have called a copp, then," said Rufus, using his old word for policeman.

 

"He'll kill me if he ever gets hold of me," said Humpy, shuddering⁶. "He horsewhipped me yesterday."

 

"Then he's a brute," said Rufus, who could not help feeling a degree of sympathy for the deformed⁷ boy, who had done him such good service.

 

"He never did it before," said Humpy. "That's what made me turn against him."

 

"And you won't go back to him?"

 

"Never!" said Humpy, decidedly. "He'll know I let you out."

 

"What's your name?" asked Rufus, remembering that he had never heard the name of his guide.

 

"They call me Humpy," said the deformed boy, flushing a little. He had got hardened to the name, he thought; but now that Rufus asked him, he answered with a feeling of shame and reluctance⁸.

 

"Haven't you another name? I don't like to call you that."

 

"My name is William Norton, but I've most forgot it, it's so long since anybody ever called me so."

 

"Then I'll call you so. I like it better than the other. Have you made up your mind what to do, now you've left your old place?"

 

"Yes, I'm going out West,—to Chicago maybe."

 

"Why do you leave New York?"

 

"I want to get away from him," said William, indicating his old employer by a backward jerk of his finger. "If I stay here, he'll get hold of me."

 

"Perhaps you are right; but you needn't go so far as Chicago. Philadelphia would do."

 

"He goes there sometimes."

 

"What will you do in Chicago?"

 

"I'll get along. There's a good many things I can do,—black boots, sell papers, smash baggage, and so on. Besides, I'll have some money."

 

"The fifty dollars I am to give you?"

 

"I've got more besides," said Humpy, lowering his voice. Looking around cautiously, lest he might be observed, he drew out the calico bag which contained his savings⁹, and showed to Rufus.

 

"There's twenty dollars in that," he said, jingling¹⁰ the coins with an air of satisfaction. "That'll make seventy when you've paid me."

 

"I'm glad you've got so much, William. Where did you get it all?"

 

"I saved it up. He paid me fifty cents a week, and gave me an extra quarter or so sometimes when he felt good-natured. I saved it all up, and here it is."

 

"When did you begin saving?"

 

"Six months ago. I used to spend all my money for oysters¹¹ and cigars, but somebody told me smokin' would stop me from growin', and I gave it up."

 

"You did right. I used to smoke sometimes; but I stopped. It don't do a boy any good."

 

"Are you rich?" asked Humpy.

 

"No. What makes you ask?"

 

"You wear nice clo'es. Besides, you are goin' to pay me fifty dollars."

 

"I'm worth five hundred dollars," said Rufus, with satisfaction.

 

"That's a good deal," said Humpy, enviously¹². "I'd feel rich if I had so much."

 

"You'll be worth a good deal more some time, I hope."

 

"I hope so, but it'll be a good while."

 

While this conversation had been going on, the boys had been walking leisurely¹³. But Rufus, who was anxious to restore the tin box as soon as possible, now proposed to ride.

 

"We'll jump aboard the next car, William," he said. "I'll pay the fare."

 

"Where are you goin'?"

 

"To Mr. Turner's office, to return the box."

 

"He won't think I had anything to do with stealin' it, will he?"

 

"No; I'll take care he doesn't."

 

They jumped on board the next car, and before long reached the termination of the car route, at the junction¹⁴ of Vesey Street and Broadway.

 

"Where's the place you're goin' to?" asked Humpy.

 

"In Wall Street. We'll be there in ten minutes."

 

The boys proceeded down Broadway, and in rather less than ten minutes, Rufus, followed by Humpy, entered his employer's office.

 

His arrival created a sensation.

 

"I am glad to see you back, Rufus," said Mr. Turner, coming forward, and shaking his hand cordially.

 

The clerks left their desks, and greeted him in a friendly manner.

 

"I've brought back the tin box, Mr. Turner," said Rufus. "I told you I'd get it back, and I have," he added, with pardonable pride.

 

"How did you recover it? Tell me all about it."

 

"This boy helped me," said Rufus, directing attention to Humpy, who had kept himself in the background. "But for him I should still be a prisoner, closely confined and guarded."

 

"He shall be rewarded," said the banker. "What is his name?"

 

"William Morton."

 

Mr. Turner took the boy's hand kindly¹⁵, dirty though it was, and said, "I will bear you in mind, my lad," in a tone which made Humpy, who before felt awkward and uncertain of a welcome, quite at his ease.

 

"Now for your story, Rufus," said the banker. "I am curious to hear your adventures. So you were a prisoner?"

 

"Yes, sir," answered Rufus, and forthwith commenced a clear and straightforward¹⁶ account of his experiences, which need not be repeated. He wound up by saying that he had promised Humpy fifty dollars in return for his assistance.

 

"Your promise shall be kept," said Mr. Turner. "I will pay you the money now, if you wish," he added, turning to Humpy. "I would advise you to put most of it in a savings-bank, as you are liable to be robbed, or to lose it."

 

"I'll put it in as soon as I get to Chicago," said Humpy.

 

"Are you going there?"

 

Rufus explained why the boy wished to leave New York.

 

"Do you want to start at once?"

 

"I'd like to."

 

"Then, Rufus, I think you had better go with him, and buy his ticket. You may also buy him a suit of clothes at my expense."

 

"Thank you, sir," said Humpy, gratefully.

 

"If you can spare me, Mr. Turner," said Rufus, "I would like to go home first, and let them know that I am safe."

 

"Certainly. That reminds me that a lady—was it your aunt?—was in the office an hour ago, asking for you."

 

"It was Miss Manning."

 

"I promised to let you go home when you appeared, and I think you had better do so at once to relieve the anxiety of your friends."

 

"Thank you, sir;" and Rufus was about to leave the office, when a thought occurred to him, and he turned back.

 

"I didn't think to tell you that the money had been taken out," he said.

 

"So I supposed. I will open the box."

 

The box being opened, it was discovered also that the government bonds were missing.

 

"That's too much to lose," said the banker. "What is the number of the house in which you were confined?"

 

Rufus was able to give it, having judged that it would be wanted.

 

"I shall give information to the police, and see what can be done towards recovering the bonds."

 

"Shall I go to the police-office for you, Mr. Turner?"

 

"No, you can go home at once. Then accompany this boy to a clothing-store, and afterwards to the Erie Railroad Station, where you may buy him a through ticket to Chicago. Here is the necessary money;" and Mr. Turner placed a roll of bills in the hands of our hero.

 

"Am I to buy the railroad ticket, also, out of this?"

 

"Yes. William shall have his fifty dollars clear to start on when he gets there."

 

Miss Manning had nearly got through with the morning lessons, when a quick step was heard ascending¹⁷ the stairs two or three at a time. Rose let drop the arithmetic, from which she had been reciting, and exclaimed, in glad excitement, "That's Rufie, I know it is!"

 

The door opened, and she was proved to be correct.

 

"Where've you been, Rufie?" exclaimed his sister, throwing her arms around his neck.

 

"Mr. Martin carried me off, Rosy¹⁸."

 

"I knew he would; but you said you was too big."

 

"He was smarter than I thought for. Sit down, Rosy, and I'll tell you all about it. Were you anxious about me, Miss Manning?"

 

"Yes, Rufus. I don't mind saying now that I was, though I would not confess it to Rose, who fretted¹⁹ enough for you without."

 

So the story had to be told again, and was listened to, I need not say, with breathless interest.

 

"You won't let him catch you again, will you, Rufie?" said Rose, anxiously, when it was finished.

 

"Not if I know myself, Rosy," answered Rufus. "That can't be done twice. But I've got to be going. I've got ever so much to do. I'll be back to dinner at six."

 

He hastened downstairs, and rejoined Humpy, who had been waiting for him in the street.

1 espied   

v.看到( espy的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• One day a youth espied her as he was hunting.She saw him and recognized him as her own son, mow grown a young man. 一日，她被一个正在行猎的小伙子看见了，她认出来这个猎手原来是自己的儿子，现在已长成为一个翩翩的少年。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• In a little while he espied the two giants. 一会儿就看见了那两个巨人。 来自辞典例句

2 adjourning   

（使）休会， （使）休庭( adjourn的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Before adjourning, councillors must stop procrastinating and revisit this controversial issue. 在休会之前，参议员必须停止拖延，重新讨论这个引起争议的问题。
• They decided upon adjourning the session. 他们决定休会。

3 jointly   

ad.联合地，共同地

参考例句：

• Tenants are jointly and severally liable for payment of the rent. 租金由承租人共同且分别承担。
• She owns the house jointly with her husband. 她和丈夫共同拥有这所房子。

4 complacently   

adv. 满足地, 自满地, 沾沾自喜地

参考例句：

• He complacently lived out his life as a village school teacher. 他满足于一个乡村教师的生活。
• "That was just something for evening wear," returned his wife complacently. “那套衣服是晚装，"他妻子心安理得地说道。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹

5 resolutely   

adj.坚决地，果断地

参考例句：

• He resolutely adhered to what he had said at the meeting. 他坚持他在会上所说的话。
• He grumbles at his lot instead of resolutely facing his difficulties. 他不是果敢地去面对困难，而是抱怨自己运气不佳。

6 shuddering   

v.战栗( shudder的现在分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动

参考例句：

• 'I am afraid of it,'she answered, shuddering. “我害怕，”她发着抖，说。 来自英汉文学 - 双城记
• She drew a deep shuddering breath. 她不由得打了个寒噤，深深吸了口气。 来自飘（部分）

7 deformed   

adj.畸形的；变形的；丑的，破相了的

参考例句：

• He was born with a deformed right leg.他出生时右腿畸形。
• His body was deformed by leprosy.他的身体因为麻风病变形了。

8 reluctance   

n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿

参考例句：

• The police released Andrew with reluctance.警方勉强把安德鲁放走了。
• He showed the greatest reluctance to make a reply.他表示很不愿意答复。

9 savings   

n.存款，储蓄

参考例句：

• I can't afford the vacation,for it would eat up my savings.我度不起假，那样会把我的积蓄用光的。
• By this time he had used up all his savings.到这时，他的存款已全部用完。

10 jingling   

叮当声

参考例句：

• A carriage went jingling by with some reclining figure in it. 一辆马车叮当驶过，车上斜倚着一个人。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
• Melanie did not seem to know, or care, that life was riding by with jingling spurs. 媚兰好像并不知道，或者不关心，生活正马刺丁当地一路驶过去了呢。

11 oysters   

牡蛎( oyster的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• We don't have oysters tonight, but the crayfish are very good. 我们今晚没有牡蛎供应。但小龙虾是非常好。
• She carried a piping hot grill of oysters and bacon. 她端出一盘滚烫的烤牡蛎和咸肉。

12 enviously   

adv.满怀嫉妒地

参考例句：

• Yet again, they were looking for their way home blindly, enviously. 然而，它们又一次盲目地、忌妒地寻找着归途。 来自辞典例句
• Tanya thought enviously, he must go a long way south. 坦妮亚歆羡不置，心里在想，他准是去那遥远的南方的。 来自辞典例句

13 leisurely   

adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的

参考例句：

• We walked in a leisurely manner,looking in all the windows.我们慢悠悠地走着，看遍所有的橱窗。
• He had a leisurely breakfast and drove cheerfully to work.他从容的吃了早餐，高兴的开车去工作。

14 junction   

n.连接，接合；交叉点，接合处，枢纽站

参考例句：

• There's a bridge at the junction of the two rivers.两河的汇合处有座桥。
• You must give way when you come to this junction.你到了这个路口必须让路。

15 kindly   

adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地

参考例句：

• Her neighbours spoke of her as kindly and hospitable.她的邻居都说她和蔼可亲、热情好客。
• A shadow passed over the kindly face of the old woman.一道阴影掠过老太太慈祥的面孔。

16 straightforward   

adj.正直的，坦率的；易懂的，简单的

参考例句：

• A straightforward talk is better than a flowery speech.巧言不如直说。
• I must insist on your giving me a straightforward answer.我一定要你给我一个直截了当的回答。

17 ascending   

adj.上升的，向上的

参考例句：

• Now draw or trace ten dinosaurs in ascending order of size.现在按照体型由小到大的顺序画出或是临摹出10只恐龙。

18 rosy   

adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的

参考例句：

• She got a new job and her life looks rosy.她找到一份新工作，生活看上去很美好。
• She always takes a rosy view of life.她总是对生活持乐观态度。

19 fretted   

焦躁的，附有弦马的，腐蚀的

参考例句：

• The wind whistled through the twigs and fretted the occasional, dirty-looking crocuses. 寒风穿过枯枝，有时把发脏的藏红花吹刮跑了。 来自英汉文学
• The lady's fame for hitting the mark fretted him. 这位太太看问题深刻的名声在折磨着他。