Chapter XXVI.
Bob’s Downfall.
To Stephen’s intense relief, he now saw Charley and George coming towards him from the village. He welcomed them with feverish delight.
“Hollo, Steve!” Charlie shouted. “What performance is that on the other side of the river? Who has set our raft afloat, and what is that thing on it?”
A hoot of defiance came booming across the river from Bob. He still felt himself secure; and instead of one witness of his triumph, there would now be three.
Stephen ran to meet the new-comers, and told them all that he knew about the matter, not sparing the arch-villain.
Their expressions of hopelessness and anger exceeded even Stephen’s.
“Isn’t there anything we can float over on?” Charles asked.
“Not a thing. Do you suppose I’d be here if I could cross?” Steve retorted, angrily.
“Take it coolly, boys,” the Sage advised. “We are not going to let that Herriman have it all his own way; surely we can work some plan to outwit him.”
Bob looked on in ecstasy, and hallooed as barbarously as a wild Indian on the war-trail. His plans had succeeded in every particular—almost beyond his expectations. Why should he not rejoice and be merry?