His companion gave him a short answer, and manifested no disposition to enlarge upon the subject; and for several minutes both maintained a profound silence.
The boat, drifting slowly with the current, was passing from the pond into the narrow river, and it required all Harry's skill to keep her from striking the banks on either side. His mind was engrossed with the contemplation of the new and startling event which had so suddenly presented itself to embarrass his future operations. Ben was a criminal in the eye of the law, and would be subjected to a severe penalty if detected.
"I shouldn't have thought you would have done that," Harry observed, when the silence became painful to him.
"Done what?" asked Ben, sharply.
"Set the barn afire."
"Who said I set it afire?"
"Well, I can see through a millstone when there is a hole in it."
"I didn't say I set the barn afire."
"I know you didn't; but you said you meant to pay the squire off for what he had done to you."
"I mean to."