"We have a boat on the river, sir; but we generally tie up at night, and start fresh in the morning."
"How far do you intend going?"
"To St. Louis."
"Pardon my curiosity, but it is not common for two boys of your age to undertake such an enterprise alone. Are you in charge of the boat?"
"He is," said Sam, indicating Bob.
"And you, I suppose, are a relative of his?"
"Have you come from a distance?"
"Decidedly," thought Bob, "this gentleman is very curious."
Still there seemed to be no reason for concealment, and accordingly he mentioned the name of the village in which Sam and himself made their home.