"He has appealed to father, and father has decided against me, and advised me to go back; but I am not at all disposed to do it."
"I would work in some other printing-office," added John, "before I would go to New York."
"But I can get work nowhere else. I have been to every office, and they all refuse to employ me, because my brother went to them before me, and told his story, and made them promise not to hire me."
"I suppose he thought by so doing to compel you to come back to him," suggested John.
"I suppose so; but he will find himself mistaken. I shall go to New York as soon as I can get away."
"What does your father say about your going off so far?"
"I have said nothing to him about it, and do not intend to do so. He would stop my going at once if he knew it."
"How can you get away without letting him know it?"
"That remains to be seen," answered Benjamin. "I shall want some of your help about it, I guess."
"I am at your service," said John, "though it seems very little that I can do to hasten your flight;" but he had hardly uttered the last sentence before a new thought flashed upon his mind, and he added with great earnestness, "Yes, I can, too; I have seen the captain of that New York sloop in the harbour, and I can make a bargain with him to take you there."