Part 22 (1/2)
”I see your drift,” returned Mr. Waterbury, after a pause. ”I saw you thrust the bills into his pocket, as he stood with his back turned, conversing with one of the pa.s.sengers. It was very skilfully done, but I saw it.”
Vincent started, for he had supposed himself un.o.bserved.
”I see you are determined to insult us,” he said. ”I will charitably conclude that you are drunk.”
”I can't be so charitable with you, sir. I believe you are a pair of precious scoundrels, who, if you had your deserts, would be in the penitentiary instead of at large.”
”I have a mind to knock you down,” said Vincent angrily.
As Vincent was several inches shorter and much slighter than the person whom he threatened, this menace sounded rather ridiculous.
”You are at liberty to try it,” said the latter, smiling. ”First, however, let me warn you that, if you continue to annoy us, it will be at your peril. If you remain quiet I shall leave you alone. Otherwise I will make known your true character to the captain and pa.s.sengers, and you will undoubtedly be set ash.o.r.e when we reach the next landing. I have the honor to wish you good morning.”
”It strikes me, Graham,” said Vincent, as Mr. Waterbury left them, ”that we have tackled the wrong pa.s.senger.”
”I believe you are right,” said Graham. ”Just my luck.”
”There isn't much use in staying on the boat. He will keep a good lookout for us.”
”True; but I don't want to give up the boy.”
”He is under the guardians.h.i.+p of this determined old party.”
”They will separate at Cincinnati.”
”Well?”
”He has money enough to take him to California. He is worth following up.”
”Then you are in favor of going on to Cincinnati?”
”By all means.”
”Very well. There are always chances of making an honest penny in a large city.”
”Money or no money, I want to get even with the boy.”
So the worthy pair decided to go on to Cincinnati.
CHAPTER XV.
THE ALLEGHANY HOUSE.
It was a bright, sunny morning when the _River Belle_ touched her pier at Cincinnati. The pa.s.sengers gathered on deck, and discussed their plans. In one group were Tom, Mr. Waterbury, Jennie Watson, and her mother.
”I am sorry you are going to leave us, Tom,” said Jennie; ”I shall feel awfully lonely.”
”So shall I,” said Tom.