In an hour information had been lodged at the Central Police Office, and orders had been given to watch the river, and to keep a good lookout for the boat, of which Bob furnished a description.
That night Bob and Clip slept at Mr. Pearson's house, being treated as honored guests.
CHAPTER XXXVII. BROWN AND MINTON WALK INTO A TRAP.
Little suspecting the reception awaiting them in St. Louis, Minton and Brown were laboriously guiding their stolen craft down the river. Not being accustomed to labor of any sort, they found the confinement irksome, but the prize for which they were striving was so large that they took it very good-humoredly. They whiled away the time by indulging in visions of future ease and prosperity, and in exchanging witticisms at the expense of Bob, the youthful owner of the boat.
"I wonder how the young captain is enjoying himself," said Minton, as he lay back, with one of the bins for a support, while puffing at a choice cigar.
"He is ready to tear his hair out, I presume," said Brown. "He's a conceited young popinjay, and deserves to have his pride taken down."
"You're right there, Brown. We shall make a tidy sum out of our venture."
"Yes; we can afford to retire for a time. Of course I shall want more than half."