"Those three children. They have run away!"
"From you?"
"Yes; from my house."
"Why, man, you must be drunk. You have no children."
"I had charge of 'em, particularly the little gal! Stop the boat, I say!"
"Has that man any claim on you?" asked the captain, who chanced to be standing near Bob.
"Not the slightest," answered Bob.
"Or the little girl?"
"No; her father lives in St. Louis, and I am taking her to him."
"Stop the boat!" screamed Joe, frantically.