tion, but it is at your disposal. If I were in your place, I
would take advantage of the darkness to drop down the river, and I
wouldn't lose any time about it either."

"You advise me to run away like a coward, instead of remaining to
defend myself against these abominable and absolutely unfounded
charges!" exclaimed Billy Brackett, indignantly. "I shall do nothing
of the kind."

"Not 'run away;' simply continue your voyage before it is unpleasantly
interrupted," returned the other, with a smile. "If you remain until
morning, your raft, with its contents, will certainly be destroyed by
an unreasoning mob, at whose hands you and your companions may suffer
bodily injury. In this case action would come first and inquiry
afterwards. I am convinced you could easily prove your innocence, but
doubt if you could obtain any redress for the losses you would have
suffered in the mean time. Now I must get back to my desk. You will
of course act as you think best, but I sincerely hope that you will
accept my advice, and decide that an honorable retreat is better than a
lost battle."

"But there is Solon, the man whom I telegraphed to join us here. I
don't expect him before morning."

"Why, he is here already! Haven't you met him! He arrived on the
evening train, and came in here to inquire where you could be found. I
gave him directions, and started him off not fifteen minutes ago."

"I don't see how he managed it," said Billy Brackett, who had been
thinking rapidly while the other spoke; "but if he is already on board
there is no reason why our departure should be delayed. Therefore I am
almost inclined to accept your advice, for which, as well as for your
timely warning, I am sincerely grateful. I will, at any rate, get back
to the raft at once."

With this the young man shook hands with the operator, and left the
office.

"There!" exclaimed the other, looking after him with a relieved sigh;
"I believe I have done that young fellow a good turn. At the same time
I have given myself a chance to capture the thousand-dollar reward that
Ned wrote about, and which I was afraid this chap was after for
himself."

As for Billy Brackett, the more he reflected upon the situation, as he
hastened towards the place where the raft was moored, the more puzzled
he became as to what course he ought to pursue. He now had not only
Winn, the raft, and himself to consider, but Glen and Binney, and the
valuable instruments bel