"He's drunk!" said Joe's neighbor. "He doesn't know what he's talking about."
This settled the matter so far as the captain was concerned. Bob paid the full passage-money for the party, and they were enrolled as regular passengers.
Towards the middle of the afternoon a surprise awaited them. They saw, not far ahead, their own boat, which was drifting down the river, with Brown at the helm.
"Do you see that, Clip?" asked Bob.
"Yes, Massa Bob."
"Quick, hide! Don't let them see us. I have no objection to their working their passage down to the city. When they get there, we will be on hand to take possession."
"Dat's a good joke! Won't they be s'prised, dough?" said Clip, showing his white teeth.
So the steamboat swept by, carrying the three children past the two conspirators, who fancied them safely housed in Joe Springer's house up the river.