XXI
BROFFIN'S EQUATION
Having Clerk Maurice's telegram to time the overtaking approach, Broffin found the Belle Julie backing and filling for her berth at the Vicksburg landing when, after a hasty Vicksburg breakfast, he had himself driven to the river front.
Going aboard as soon as the swing stage was lowered, he found Maurice, with whom he had something more than a speaking acquaintance, just turning out of his bunk in the texas.
"I took it for granted you'd be along," was Maurice's greeting. "What bank robber are we running away with now?"
Broffin grinned.
"I'm still after the one you took on in the place of John Gavitt."
"Humph!" said the clerk, sleepily; "I thought that one was John Gavitt."
"No; he merely took Gavitt's place and name. Tell me all you know about him."
"I don't know anything about him, except that he was fool enough to pull Buck M'Grath out of the river just after M'Grath had tried to bump him over the bows."