Billy Brackett. "I'm willing you should go with
us if Bim is. What do you say, old dog? Speak, sir!"

And Bim spoke till the echoes rang again.

CHAPTER XXII.

A "MEWEL" NAMED "REWARD."

It being thus settled that the search for the raft was to be continued,
the Sheriff said: "I wish I could go with you, Mr. Brackett, and see
this affair through; but those fellows are beyond my hunting-ground
now, and I've got important business to attend to up the river. I'll
tell you what I will do, though. I'll appoint you a deputy, and give
you a bit of writing witnessed by a notary, as well as a badge. The
paper will identify you, and state that you are engaged on government
business, which entitles you to official aid wherever you may demand
it. I will also give you samples of the bills those fellows are
circulating. They are fives and tens, and by far the best specimens of
that kind of work I have ever seen. Of course, if you don't catch them
it will be all right; but if you do, perhaps you'll remember old
friends when the reward is paid."

Billy Brackett thanked Mr. Riley, and accepted these friendly offers,
though he afterwards remarked to Winn that as they were searching for a
lost raft, and not for a gang of counterfeiters, he thought it unlikely
that he should ever play the part of Sheriff.

"But you'd try for that reward if you had the chance, wouldn't you?"
asked Winn.

"No, I would not," was the prompt reply. "Man-hunting, and especially
man-hunting for money, is not in my line. It is a duty that Sheriffs
are obliged to perform, but, thank goodness, I am not a Sheriff."

At the conclusion of all these explanations and arrangements, the
entire party adjourned to the _Whatnot_, to which Sabella had already
returned, and where they were to dine, by Cap'n Cod's invitation.

What a good dinner it was, and what a merry one! How Solon, who in a
speckless white apron waited at table, grinned at the praises bestowed
upon his cooking! How they all chaffed each other! Winn was
ironically praised for his success in losing rafts, and the Sheriff for
his in capturing counterfeiters; Cap'n Cod was gravely congratulated
upon the result of his efforts to entertain the public, and even
Sabella was highly praised for her skilful performance on the
hand-organ. With all this banter, Cap'n Cod did not lose sight of the
obligation under which Billy Brackett had placed him the evening
before, and so sincerely reg