The post-office agent opened his eyes, and seemed to me to look incredulous.
"Has this boy had anything to do with the mail during the last two months?" asked he.
"Not that I know of," replied the postmaster.
The agent nodded his head, and did not seem to be quite satisfied. I surmised that Ham had been robbing other letters.
"Where have you been for two months?" asked the agent, turning to me.
"I have been to New Orleans," I answered.
"You haven't been about here, then?"
"No, sir."
"Put him in the wagon, and we will drive home," said Captain Fishley.
The post-office agent took me in charge, and he was not so rude and rough as the constable. He placed me on the back seat of the wagon, and sat beside me himself. All three of my companions plied me with questions on the way, and I told them all about my trip to New Orleans on the raft.