Part 20 (1/2)
The Major sent a despatch to the address in Cairo left by Billy Brackett, directing that young man to dispose of the raft as he thought best, to take care of Winn, come home as soon as they could, and telling of his plans for Cap'n Cod and Sabella. He also telegraphed to Mrs. Caspar that he should be at home the next day but one, bringing strangers with him.
She, of course, thought he meant the ”raftmates,” as she had called Winn and Billy Brackett from the first, and was amazed to see an old man and a young girl seated in the carriage with her husband as it drove up to the house. At first she was greatly disappointed, but within a few days she became reconciled to the new arrangement, for she could not help loving the gentle old man who was so fond of her boy, nor rejoicing in the warm friends.h.i.+p that almost immediately sprang up between Elta and Sabella.
In the mean time Billy Brackett and Winn reached Cairo early in the morning, and after breakfast at a hotel, they called on the City Marshal, who had sent the despatch relating to the raft. To their surprise, he received them coldly, and informed them that Mr. Caspar had already been there, had expressed his willingness to pay a hundred dollars reward for the recovery of his raft, and had just gone down to take possession of it.
This was an astounding bit of information, and Winn was about to let his rapidly rising indignation break forth, when Billy Brackett restrained him, and asked, mildly, if the Marshal had any objections to their looking at the raft in question simply to gratify their curiosity.
”Oh no. You can look at her as much as you like, and you will find her just around the point there, in possession of the two young men who picked her up--that is, if they haven't already turned her over to her rightful owner.”
Again Winn would have exploded, but again his companion restrained him, at the same time leading him from the office.
They found the raft without much difficulty, and walked on board. Just then the broken door of the ”shanty” opened, and two young fellows, hardly older than Winn, stepped out. As they did so one of them turned and said, politely, ”Well, good-bye, and a pleasant voyage to you, Mr.
Caspar.” Then they both faced the new-comers.
Such an expression of blank amazement as flashed over their faces Winn thought he had never seen. For an instant they stood spellbound. Then there was a yell of recognition, or rather a chorus of yells from both sides.
”Billy Brackett, as I'm a sinner! Whoop! Hooray for the Baldheads and the Second Division!”
”Billy Brackett, or his ghost!”
”Glen Eddy! Grip, old man! How? When? Where? Why?
”'Oh, gimminy crack, come hold me tight.
It makes me laugh and shout.
It fills my heart with gay delight When--'”
CHAPTER x.x.xI.
CAMPMATES TURN RAFTMATES.
”Wow wow w-o-w-w!” howled Bim, with his ridiculous nose uplifted and a most melancholy expression of countenance. He felt in duty bound to accompany his master's singing, but on this occasion, at least, he brought it to a sudden conclusion, for no one could possibly sing in face of the uproarious laughter that greeted his outburst.
”That's always the way,” remarked Billy Brackett, with a comical expression. ”I never am allowed to prove what I am really capable of in the vocal line. But what are you boys doing here? Where did you come from, where are you going, and how in the name of all that is obscure and remarkable do you happen to be on board our raft?”
”Your raft?” echoed Glen Elting. ”What do you mean by your raft? We called it our raft until a few minutes ago, and now we call it Mr.
Caspar's raft.”
”Yes, I know. Major Caspar's raft. But it's all the same as ours, for I am his brother-in-law, and have his written authority to dispose of it as I see fit. Besides, this is his son, and we have been hunting this raft for the best part of a month. By-the-way, Winn, these are two old, or rather two young, campmates of mine, Mr. Glen Eddy--I mean Matherson; no, I beg pardon--Elting is the name at present, I believe.”
”Do you know him intimately?” interrupted Winn, slyly.
Billy Brackett made a dive at the boy, but as the latter leaped nimbly aside, he continued: ”And Mr. Binney Gibbs, popularly known as 'Grip.'
Gentlemen, this impudent young vil-ly-an is my nephew, Mr. Winn Caspar.”
Instead of acknowledging this introduction, Glen and Binney looked curiously at each other. Then the former said, ”There seems to be something wrong here, Billy, for we have just turned this raft over to its owner, Mr. Winn Caspar, and he is in the house here at this moment.”
”That's all right,” replied Billy Brackett. ”I rather expected to find that gentleman here, and now we will go inside for an interview with him.” So saying, he tried to open the door, but found it fastened. In spite of its splintered condition, it was secured so firmly that it took them several minutes to force it open. When this was accomplished, and an entrance was effected, the four gazed blankly about them and at each other. The large room was empty. So were the two smaller ones beyond, while an open window in the last showed the manner in which Messrs. Plater and Grimshaw had effected their escape.