by Oliver Optic
CHAPTER XV.
THE DEPARTURE.
I harnessed the horse for Captain Fishley, and put the mail-bag in thewagon, as I was told to do. I could not help thinking that my tyrantswere playing some deeper game than appeared upon the surface. They werecertainly looking up evidence to enable them to convict me of robbingthe mail. If the captain should happen to blunder into some of thestores in Riverport where I had made some extensive purchases, as Iregarded them, he might wonder what I had done with a second-handcooking-stove, about twenty pounds of nails, and other articles uponwhich boys do not usually set a high value; but the amount of moneyemployed in the transaction would be of greater interest to him.
Captain Fishley drove off, and I went into the store. Ham was alonethere, and the glance which he bestowed upon me was unusually ugly. Iwas uneasy and nervous. I knew I should never have any peace till I toldwhere I had obtained the money in my possession; but Squire Fishley hadspecially interdicted my saying anything to his brother. It seemed to mejust as though my chief tyrant had gone down to Riverport on purpose tofind something which would condemn me. I had bought at least tendollars' worth of goods at one store, and if he could prove that I hadexpended this sum of money, it would be enough to satisfy him that I hadrobbed the mail.
I felt that the storm was coming down upon me like a tempest. My tyrantswere anxious to condemn me. Ham, in whom there was no sentiment ofjustice or magnanimity, would do his utmost to convict me, in order tosave himself. It was plain enough to me, that without the testimony ofSquire Fishley, I could not hope to escape. Ham was a villain; he knewthat I had not stolen the money. I could not blame Captain Fishley andhis wife for deeming me guilty; but I could not save myself at theexpense of Squire Fishley. I had promised him faithfully, and he hadhandsomely rewarded me for my silence.
"You are bound to have a row with me, Buck Bradford," said Ham, as I satin the store thinking of the perils of the situation.
"I think the boot's on the other leg," I replied.
"What do you mean by saying I robbed the mail then?"
"Well, what do you mean by saying I did it?" I retorted.
"You can't tell where you got that money I saw you have."
"No matter whether I can or not. You know, if nobody else does, that itdidn't come out of that letter."
"What do you mean by that?"
"What's the use of talking, Ham Fishley?" I replied, impatiently."Didn't you hear the dog howling that night when you broke open MissLarrabee's letter, and put the money in your pocket? I did, and I wentdown stairs in my stocking feet to let him in. When I came to the storedoor, I saw what you were doing. I saw you set the letter afire, andthrow it into the stove. Then you put the envelope in after it. But thatdidn't burn up, and I saved a piece of it in the morning when I made thefire."
"That's a pretty story!" exclaimed Ham; but I saw that he was pale, andthat his lips quivered. "Do you expect any one to believe it?"
"I don't expect your father to believe it; but, if you want to fetch theconstable, I think I can make him believe it."
"I went for the constable, but he was not in."
"Lucky for you!"
"You haven't told where you got that money."
"I don't mean to tell; but I think I can fetch some one to explain it,if the worst comes," I added.
It was useless to talk with him. My secret sealed my lips and tied myhands. I could do nothing, and it seemed like folly for me to stay andface my tyrants, who would enjoy my ruin. I could appeal to the senatorto save me; but, if he did so, it would be at the expense of his ownreputation, and he would not thank me for putting him in such anunpleasant position. If it had not been for Flora, I would have fledthat instant. Though I had prepared the raft for her accommodation, Ihardly expected she would be willing to go with me.
I went from the store into the kitchen, where I found the poor girl atthe stove. She had been crying, and I had never before seen her look sosad and hopeless.
"What is the matter, dear Flora?" I asked, seating myself at her side.
"Nothing, Buckland."
"You have been crying, Flora."
"I couldn't help it."
"What made you cry?"
"I don't want to make trouble," she replied, the tears coming to hereyes again; "but I wish it was October, that we might leave this house.I'm sure Clarence does not know how much we suffer."
"Has Mrs. Fishley been abusing you again?"
She looked at me, and wiped away her tears before she answered.
"I did not mean to tell you of it, Buckland; but she did shake meagain, and she hurt me very much," sobbed she.
"I'll tear her in pieces for it!" I cried, angrily; and my teeth groundtogether, and my fists involuntarily clinched.
"No, no, brother! Don't say anything about it," pleaded Flora. "Perhapsit was my fault; I contradicted her. She said you stole the money fromthe letter, and I persisted that you did not. O, Buckland, that wasawful--to say you were a thief! I could not bear it."
"I am not a thief!"
"But have you some money?"
"I have."
"Where did you get it?" she asked, anxiously.
"I cannot tell them where I got it. I will tell you a little; but youmust not breathe a word of it to any one."
"I will not, Buckland."
"I saved the life of a gentleman who had been drinking too much; and hegave me the money. He made me promise that I would not tell any oneabout it."
"Who was he?" asked she, excited by my story.
"I cannot tell even you who he was. He was very penitent, and wished meto save his character. Flora, it was Ham who robbed the mail. I saw himdo it."
I told her what I had seen in the store the night the senator arrived,and that Ham accused me of the crime in order to save himself.
"You will be sent to prison, Buckland!" exclaimed she, in terror, as shethrew her arm around my neck. "Ham hates you, and so do his father andmother."
"Dear Flora, if you will go with me, I will not stay another night withour tyrants. They abuse us both."
"Where will you go?"
"To New Orleans."
I will not pause to detail the arguments by which I convinced her thatit was best for us to leave Torrentville at once. In the morning theconstable would be sent for; and, while those who were left as myprotectors were really my enemies, I could not hope to escape theirmalignity. This was the reasoning of a boy. Doubtless I was influencedby the fact that the raft was ready for use, and by a desire to embarkupon a period of adventure.
"How can we go?" asked she; for I had said nothing to her about my craftyet.
"I have built a raft with a house upon it," I replied.
"A raft!"
"Yes; it is big enough to hold twenty men."
"But we can't go to New Orleans on a raft."
"Perhaps not; but when we get tired of it, we can take a steamboat andgo the rest of the way. We shall have no tyrants to vex us," I added,with enthusiasm. "I have made a nice house for you, dear Flora."
"I will do anything you say, Buckland," said she, clasping her armsaround my neck. "I cannot stay here."
"Then we must go this very night, before Captain Fishley and his wifereturn. The raft is in the swamp. Go and dress yourself in your warmestclothes, and put everything in a bundle which you wish to carry withyou."
"Shall we stay on the raft night and day, Buckland?" she inquired,curiously; and her face already wore an expression of relief.
"Certainly, Flora. I have made a bunk in your room, and there is a stovein the house."
"Is the house furnished?"
"Not much," I replied. "We have some things."
"You know all the furniture in my room here belongs to us," she added.
I did know it, but I had not thought of it before. When we went from ourown home to Captain Fishley's, Clarence had brought all the furniturefrom Flora's room. I decided to carry off as much as I could of it,including her bed, and the little rocking-chair in wh
ich she always sat.Flora went to her chamber to prepare for her departure, and I hastenedto make my arrangements.
The die was cast! I was going immediately. Before the morning sun rose,Flora and I, borne by the swift current of the river, would be far awayfrom Torrentville. My plans were all formed. Captain Fishley and hiswife would not return before nine o'clock, and I had nearly three hoursto convey Flora and her effects to the raft. There were no windows inthe rear of the store, and I was not in much danger of being seen byHam. I went to the barn to procure the wheelbarrow, and a little wagon Ihad made for Flora, in which I intended to draw her to the swamp.
"Buck!" shouted Ham, as I was bringing out these vehicles, "I want you."
I deemed it prudent not to have a fuss with him then, and I hastened tothe store. In front of it I found the stable-keeper's best team. Myelegant tyrant was doubtless going to take Miss Elsie Crofton out toride, during the absence of his father.
"I want you to stay in the store till it's time to shut up," said Ham."I haven't left any money where you can steal it."
"I shall not stay in the store," I replied, indignant at his gratuitousfling at me.
"Won't you?"
"No, I won't! I'm not going to put myself in position to be accused ofanything else."
"I think you'd better do as I tell you."
"I don't think so. The old man will give you fits for leaving the store;and you know he wouldn't trust me there."
"The money is safe."
"That's all, Ham Fishley;" and I left the store.
I waited a little while to see what he would do. He locked the store,and drove off with the fine team. He knew his father would not be backtill after it was time to close the shop. The coast was clear, and Ilost not a moment in carrying out my plans. I took an armful of Flora'sthings, and went down to the verge of the swamp with them. I called Sim,and told him what I intended to do as we walked back to the house. Ouroperations were all carried on in the rear of the house, where none ofthe neighbors could see us; and I loaded down the wheelbarrow to itsutmost capacity. But even then we could not carry everything, and I leftseveral bundles behind the barn, where we could readily obtain them fora second load. I intended to take Bully with me, but I could not findhim. He was in the habit of making journeys about the village, and hemissed his destiny by being absent at this time.
It was after sundown when our little procession started for the swamp. Ifelt as though I was taking the great step of my lifetime, and winningthe final triumph over my tyrants.
