CHAPTER XXXIV. MR. WOLVERTON'S LETTER.
While the boys are meeting with adventures, on their way down the river, we will return to the town of Carver, in which, as it will be remembered, the Burton ranch was located.
There was no one more interested in the progress of the expedition than Aaron Wolverton. It was against his wishes and his interest that Bob should succeed in carrying out his plans. He wanted to get possession of the Burton ranch, and force Mrs. Burton to take him for her second husband. Most of all, perhaps, he wanted to humble the pride of "the Burton boy," as he styled Bob, for he cordially hated him, and was well aware that Bob disliked and despised him. If he could only bring about the failure of Bob's trip, and the loss of his cargo, he would have both Bob and his mother in his power.
Wolverton had been anxiously awaiting intelligence from his agents, and the postmaster was somewhat surprised at his numerous visits to the office for letters.
At length, one morning, Aaron Wolverton's patience was rewarded.
A letter was handed him, directed in an almost illegible scrawl to
MR. A. WOLVERTON, ESQ.
It was written by Brown, who was by no means an accomplished scholar.
Wolverton opened it eagerly, and read the following lines:
Mr. Wolverton: I write you these few lines from Rocky Creek. I am pleased to say we have got the bote, and are jest starting for St. Louis with the cargo onbord. If you want to know about the boys, bob burton and the little nigger are locked up in a house in the village belonging to one of my friends, and they won't be let out till it is perfecly saif. We got hold of them by a nise trick. I haven't time to tell you about it now, but when we meat, you shall kno all.
Send that fifty dollars to Mr. J. Brown, St. Louis Post Office. Don't forget! This is important.
Yours to command,
J. Brown.