"Some human lives is sacreder than others, seems to me," argued Jeduthun, "and the boss's is a heap more sacred to ma than a fellow's like that. I suppose I feel different from you, Mr. Francis. That's only natural. I've been in battle, you see. Of course I wouldn't take no man's life without reason, but I can't think so much of what I did last night as you would. But how about the water? It won't be much to let it off, you know."
"Let it off, of course."
"And what's to be done with that other fellow, Tom Wilbur? I feel kind of sorry for him. He's only a boy, and a most uncommon foolish boy at that."
Mr. Francis hesitated and wiped his glasses.
"I feel sorry for him, and that's the truth!" continued Jeduthun. "Here's been his poor old father and mother crying over him like everything. He never had no sense, nor no bringing up, and you know if he goes to state's prison, as he'll have to, that will be the end of him."
"True!" said Mr. Francis. "I am sorry for him as well as you. I suppose these fellows got him into their power, and he thought he could not help himself. However, I don't see but he must stand his trial—unless, indeed, he should escape," added the old gentleman, looking calmly at Jeduthun, "and of course you will take care of that."
"Yes, sir, I'll take care," said Jeduthun, with equal gravity. "I suppose they'll be after him before long."
"Not before the five-thirty train, I should think. You might drive him over to Shortsville, Jeduthun, and I could telegraph the officers to meet you there. It would save a scene here."
The water was let off the pond in the course of the morning, and to everybody's horror, the bodies of both the robbers were found. It seemed as though the unwounded man had tried to help the other, and being caught in the death grasp of the drowning man, had sunk to rise no more. One of them was recognized as the keeper of a low saloon and gambling hole in Hobartown. The other was unknown, and had probably come from a distance.
Somehow or other, during the ride to Shortsville, Tom Wilbur managed to make his escape, and was never caught again. Mr. Francis, on being apprised of the circumstance on Jeduthun's return, remarked that there must have been gross carelessness on his part, and gave him five dollars.