"But they mout have got off afore the flood riz?" said Badger.
"Wa'al," was the reply, "if they did git off, they must have gone inter hidin', for I sarched and sarched, and didn't see hair nor hide, nor sign nor trace of 'em."
This news startled every one, but it brought intense pleasure to two.
As soon as Frank Shirley and Badger could go off without attracting attention, they withdrew from the crowd, and the former asked:
"What do you think of the news, Badger?"
"Couldn't be better," said Badger.
"Think the boy's drowned?"
"He must be."
"But might he not have escaped?"
"How?"