"Get out the boat, Clip," he said, "and we'll go aboard. I want to see if the boat will be large enough for my purpose."
"You must think you'self mighty big, Massa Bob," he said, "if you think there isn't room on that boat for you an' me."
"It would certainly be large enough for two passengers like ourselves, Clip," answered Bob, smiling; "for that matter our rowboat is large enough for two boys, but if I go I shall carry a load with me."
Clip was still in the dark, but he was busying himself in unloosing the rowboat, according to Bob's bidding. The two boys jumped in, and a few strokes of the oars carried them to the ferry-boat. Fastening the flat-bottomed boat, the two boys clambered on deck.
Bob found the boat in good condition. It had occurred to him that it had been deserted as old and past service, and allowed to drift down the creek, but an examination showed that in this conjecture he was mistaken. It was sufficiently good to serve for years yet. This discovery was gratifying in one way, but in another it was a disappointment. As a boat of little value, Bob could have taken possession of it, fairly confident that no one would interfere with his claim, but in its present condition it was hardly likely to be without an owner, who would appear sooner or later and put in his claim to it.
"It seems to be a pretty good boat," said Bob.
"It must have slipped its moorings and drifted down the creek during the night. I wish I knew who owned it."
"You an' me own it, Massa Bob. Finding is keeping."
"I am afraid it won't be so in the present case. Probably the owner will appear before long."
"Can't we get off down de river afore he comes, Massa Bob?"
Clip scratched his head in perplexity. He was not troubled with conscientious scruples, and was not as clear about the rights of property as his young patron. He was accustomed, however, to accept whatever Bob said as correct and final. In fact, he was content to let Bob do his thinking for him.
"What was you goin' to take down de ribber, Massa Bob?" he asked.
"I'll tell you what I was thinking of, Clip. You know we are gathering our crop of grain, and of course it must be sold. Now, traders ask a large commission for taking the wheat to market, and this would be a heavy tax. If I could load it on board this boat, and take it down myself, I should save all that, and I could sell it myself in St. Louis."