He heard Slosson's shuffling step in the distance, a word or two
when he spoke grufy to some one, and a moment later he saw Betty
and the boy, their forms darkly silhouetted against the lighter
sky as they moved along the top of the bank. Slosson, without
any superfluous gallantry, helped his captives down the slope and
aboard the keel boat, where he locked them in the cabin, the door
of which fastened with a hasp and wooden peg.
"You're boss now, pardner!" he said, joining Carrington at the
steering oar.
"We'll cast off then," answered Carrington.
Thus far nothing had occurred to mar his plans. If they could
but quit the bayou before the arrival of the man whose place he
had taken, the rest would be if not easy of accomplishment, at
least within the realm of the possible.
"I reckon you're a river-man?" observed Slosson.
"All my life."
The line had been cast off, and the crew with their setting poles
were forcing the boat away from the bank. All was quietly done;
except for an occasional order from Carrington no word was
spoken, and soon the unwieldy craft glided into the sluggish
current and gathered way. Mr. Slosson, who clearly regarded his
relation to the adventure as being of an official character,
continued to stand at Carrington's elbow.
"What have we, between here and the river?" inquired the latter.
It was best, he felt, not to give Slosson an opportunity to ask
questions.
"It narrows considerably, pardner, but it's a straight course,"
said Slosson.
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