"It's a dollar for you," said Grimes, who did not trouble to ask the boy
his name, "an' here are your oars."
The two, pulling strongly, shot the boat out into the stream, and then
rowed in a diagonal line for the city, which rose up brilliant and great
in the moonlight. Other boats were in the river, but they paid no
attention to the barge, loaded with produce, and rowed by two innocent
countrymen. They soon reached the Washington shore, and Grimes handed
Harry a silver dollar.
"You're a strong young fellow," he said, "an' I guess you've earned the
money. My farm is only four miles up the river an' thar's goin' to be a
big market for all I kin raise. I need a good han' to help me work it.
How'd you like to come with me an' take a good job, while them that
don't know no better go ahead an' do the fightin'?"
"Thank you for your offer," replied Harry, "but I've got business to
attend to in Washington."
He slipped the dollar into his pocket, because he had earned it honestly,
and entered Washington, just as the rising sun began to gild domes and
roofs. Coming from the boat, his appearance aroused no suspicion.
People were pouring into Washington then as they were pouring into the
Confederate capital at Richmond.
Pages:
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376