"I overheard him telling the boy so."
"That's important news. The boy must have a couple of hundred, or thereabouts, as he is on his way to California."
"Eight hundred dollars together! That would make a good haul."
"So it would, but it won't be easy to get it."
While this conversation was going on Tom informed Mr. Waterbury of what had passed between Graham and himself.
"So he warned you against me, did he?" said Mr. Waterbury laughingly.
"Yes, he thought I would be safer in his company."
"If you want to exchange, I will retire," said Mr. Waterbury, smiling.
"Thank you; I would rather not. I am glad I met you, or he might have managed to get in with me."
It was not long before they came to a landing. It was a small river village, whose neat white houses, with here and there one of greater pretensions, presented an attractive appearance. A lady and her daughter came on board here. The lady was dressed in black, and appeared to be a widow. The girl was perhaps fourteen years of age, with a bright, attractive face. Two trunks were put on the boat with them, and as they were the only passengers from this landing, Tom inferred that they were their property.