Sam caught Lon’s arm. “What else happened? Tell me—quick!”
There was an excitement in the boy’s tone that made Lon stare at him.
“Why—what—what’s stirrin’ you up, Sam?” he demanded.
“I’ll tell you afterward. Go on!”
“Huh! That’s what Groche did. You see, Hannibal lost patience and took a nip at his calf, and Peter jest missed kickin’ Hannibal; and it struck me the gaiety of our social circle was gettin’ feverish. So I grabbed Hannibal’s collar, and told Groche that if I saw him again I’d have him arrested for thievin’. Over on the railroad a freight was gettin’ ready to pull out on the branch line. I hinted he’d better jump it, and let it give him a lift, if he was headin’ Payne’s Stream way. And I was sorry he couldn’t stay to collect that ghost hundred dollars he was dreamin’ about, but Hannibal wouldn’t be denied much longer; so he’d better beat it. Which also he done.”
“You mean he ran for the train?”
“Yep! And caught it—saw him.”
“And he’s going to Payne Stream?”
“Looked mighty much that way. But what you drivin’ at, Sam?”
“Wait a minute! Father’s camps are up there, aren’t they?”