"I don't know how to fix it with them," said Bob, "and I will leave it with you, Dick; your head is plumb, and you may be able to get up some story which, while true, don't give me away too bad."
"I'll do my best," said Dick, as he bade his friends good-bye for a brief while.
Upon reaching Piketon, Dick, after reporting at home, called on Captain Jim and Aunt Ruth, whom he told of his meeting with their nephew in New York. He brought a message to the effect that he would soon be with them, and they were at liberty to make known all he had told them, adding, by way of explanation, that he left for New York on the evening of the flood on important business, which would soon be finished, when he would be among them again. He had read in the papers an account of the disaster, and was extremely sorry to learn of poor Wagstaff's death. He hoped all his friends would overlook his failure to notify them more promptly that he was alive and well.
This was the story told by the captain and by Dick Halliard, and though it was far from revealing everything, it cannot be said that it partook of the nature of a falsehood.
On the second day after Dick's return, a small box arrived by express for Dick Halliard. When the wondering lad opened it he found within a magnificent gold watch and chain. On the former was engraved the following inscription:
WE ARE ALL NOW FELLOW-TRAVELERS ALONG THE RIGHT PATH."
And that was the secret of the mysterious communication of Jim McGovern to Bob Budd in the room of the latter at the Astor House.
Author of "Among the Esquimaux," "The Campers Out," etc.
In following the career of two friends from youth to manhood, this popular author weaves a narrative of intense and at times thrilling interest. One of the boys is endowed with brilliant talents, is quick and impulsive, but after a few efforts is easily discouraged. The other possessing only ordinary ability, is resolute and persevering, overcoming all obstacles in his path until success is attained.
This story possesses the usual exciting and interesting experiences that occur in the lives of all bright and active youths. In point of incident it is rather more than ordinarily realistic, as the two heroes in their experiences pass through the recent calamitous forest fires in northern Minnesota, and barely escape with their lives.