“And another bad thing about it is that I owe Silas Jones a grocery bill, and haven’t a cent to pay it with,” added David. “I ought to have paid him when he gave me the money, but I did not think of it. I was too impatient to get home and show mother the roll of greenbacks you had helped me to earn.”
“And we’ll help you earn more this very day,” said Don, cheerfully. “Don’t let that bill trouble you. I have ten dollars of your money in my hands, you know, and there are forty dollars more waiting for you up there in the woods.”
David could only look his surprise.
“You know you have an interest in that bear trap on Bruin’s Island,” continued Don, “Bert and I have just been up there and found three bears—an old one and two cubs. We shot the old one and will take her as our share of the spoils, and you shall have the cubs. Silas Jones will give you twenty dollars apiece for them. We’re going back after them as soon as we get some help. Do you feel like going with us? Perhaps it would liven you up a little.”
“I’m afraid it wouldn’t,” said David, beginning to cry again. “You have been very kind to me, but my bad luck is too much for all of us. I haven’t the heart to do anything.”
“Well, I don’t suppose you have,” said Don, in a sympathizing tone. “Go home and make your mind as easy as possible, and we will see what can be done for you. There! good-by.”
David being thus abruptly dismissed staggered to his feet and walked away, while Don, after lingering long enough to flourish his fists and make other demonstrations indicative of a desire to pound somebody, ran off toward the house, leaving his brother to make the sail-boat ready for her trip up the bayou.
“Why, Don,” exclaimed the general, as the boy burst panting and almost breathless into the library, where his father sat busy with his papers, “what has happened? You seem to be very much excited about something.”
“O, father,” cried Don, “here’s a fearful mess. Dave Evans received a hundred and sixty-four dollars and a half, clear of all expenses, for his quails, and last night his father came home and stole every cent of it.”
The general laid down his pen and turned his chair around so that he could face Don. “How did Godfrey find out that David had the money?” he asked.