"It is a pretty serious thing to connive¹ at the escape of a criminal," he said.

 

"That remark does not affect me, sir. I know nothing of any criminal. If I had seen him I would tell you."

 

Bob talked so frankly² and honestly that it seemed impossible to doubt his word. The leader of the pursuing party turned to consult with a friend.

 

"The boy seems straightforward," he said. "What do you think?"

 

"I agree with you. Still, the man was seen to run in this direction."

 

The first questioner was the one most concerned in the capture of the guilty party, for it was his store that had been robbed.[Pg 216]

 

"Have you been here all the time?" he asked, turning once more to Bob.

 

"No, sir; my friend and I have been to the village to get supper."

 

"Did you leave no one on board?"

 

"Yes, sir; a colored boy in my service—a boy named Clip."

 

"Did he mention having seen any suspicious party, or any man who seemed to be running away?"

 

"No, sir."

 

"Where is he? I would like to speak with him."

 

"He has gone to the village to get his supper."

 

If Clip had been present he would no doubt have been questioned, but as he was absent the party of investigation³ did not think it worth while to wait.

 

"That's rather curious, Sam," said Bob, when they were again alone. "We were suspected of screening a criminal."

 

"I wouldn't give much for the fellow's chance of escape. They are evidently determined⁴ to catch him."[Pg 217]

 

These words were all distinctly heard by the man in hiding.

 

"I was lucky to fall in with the little nigger," he reflected. "Them boys would have refused to help me. They would give me up now if they knew I was on board. I must be careful."

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