The more I thought of the matter the more determined I became that I would not go to prison. Suppose I ran away?
No sooner had this foolish thought entered my mind than I prepared to act upon it. We were now on the corner of Fulton Street, and to cross here was all but impossible. My uncle and Mr. Banker were still in hot dispute, and for an instant neither of them noticed me.
"Good-bye, Mr. Banker, I'm off!" I cried out suddenly.
And the next moment I had torn myself loose from my uncle's grasp, and was dashing down Fulton Street at the top of my speed.
"Hi! come back!" called out Mr. Banker after me; but I paid no heed.
"Stop him! Stop him!" yelled my uncle. "Stop the thief!"
His last words set the street in commotion. The cry of "Stop the thief!" resounded on all sides, and soon it seemed to me that I was being followed by at least half a hundred men and boys, all eager to stop me in hopes of a possible reward.
But now that I had once started, I made up my mind not to be captured. I was a good block ahead, and by skillful turning I gradually managed to increase the distance.
I was headed for the East River, and it was not long before I came in sight of the docks and the ferry slips. At one of the slips stood a ferry-boat just preparing to leave for Brooklyn.
The sight of the boat gave me a sudden thought. I dashed into the ferry-house, paid the ferry fare, and in a moment was on board, just as the boat left the slip.