ruth can give the most expert fiction points, and
still beat it at its own game."

Glen and Binney were raised from a depth of dismay, caused by the loss
of their money and the resulting predicament into which they were
thrown, to a height of felicity at the prospect of a raft voyage down
the Mississippi, under the leadership of their beloved campmate, Billy
Brackett. They also liked Winn; and, judging from what had already
happened to him, regarded him as a boy in whose company a variety of
adventures might reasonably be hoped for.

Owing to their past experience with the "river-traders," Billy Brackett
and Winn were somewhat uneasy at the presence of Grimshaw and Plater in
town, and their manifest desire to regain possession of the raft. They
were puzzled by this, and wondered what reason the men could still have
for wanting the raft. Certainly their connection with it was now too
well known for them to hope to make any further use of it in pursuing
their unlawful business. Nor did it seem likely that they would choose
it merely as a conveyance down the river. No; it must be that they had
hoped to sell the _Venture_, and realize a considerable sum by the
transaction. This was the conclusion finally reached by our raftmates,
though it was not one with which they were entirely satisfied.

Still, they felt that, as they were now four to two, they might
reasonably hope to be left in undisturbed possession of the raft for
the future, and so did not allow thought of the "river-traders" to
trouble them to any great extent. They decided that two of them should
stay constantly on board the raft, at least so long as they remained in
that locality, and that Bim should also be added to the protective
force.

To begin with, Binney and Winn remained on guard while Billy Brackett
and Glen went into the town to telegraph for Solon, send down the
instruments, and make other arrangements for the voyage. It had been
decided that as their crew was incomplete without a cook, Solon should
be sent for, and that they could not make a start until he arrived,
which would probably be early the next morning.

Winn and Binney found plenty to occupy them during the absence of the
others in becoming acquainted, learning each other's history, and
arranging the interior of the "shanty." From Binney, Winn learned what
a splendid fellow his young uncle was, and how much he was respected as
well as admired by all who were so fortunate as t