k their escape would be easy; and if it started before daylight they
could make use of the yawl, which was towed most of the time, and always
during a run after dark.

Captain Newell looked in at the gambling tables and did not see his
friend, but as he turned to look about the upper end of the cabin he
caught sight of him coming along the deck, and stepped out to wait for
him.

"Looking for me?" asked Uncle Joe, smiling.

"Yes; want to tell you that your young friend Boyd has changed his mind
and is going out to Santa Fe to look after his numerous interests
there. Ordinarily I would keep my mouth shut, but I know his father and
the whole family, and no finer people live in St. Louis. Who have you in
mind to go in charge of your wagons?"

Uncle Joe scratched his chin reflectively. "Well, I'd thought of Boyd
and was kinda sorry he was going out over the other trail. I'll keep my
eyes on the scamp. Strikes me he'd take _my_ wagons through for his
keep, under the circumstances! He-he-he! Changed his mind, has he?
D----d if I blame him; I'd 'a' gone farther'n that, at his age, for a
girl like Patience. How about a little nip, for good luck?"

"Not now. How would you like to change sleeping partners?" asked the
captain, quickly explaining the matter.

"First rate idea; th' partner I got now spends most of his nights
scratching. Better shift me instead of him, or Boyd'll get cussed little
sleep in that bunk."

Captain Newell leaned against the cabin and laughed. "All right, Joe;
I'll have your things taken out and the change made by supper time, at
the latest. Look out those gamblers in there don't skin you."

* * * * *

True to his word the captain shifted Joe Cooper to the room of his new
friend, and sent the bull-necked, bullwhacking bully who had shared
Tom's cabin to take the ex-gambler's former berth. This arrangement was
suitable both ways, for not only were the two friends put together, but
the two loud-voiced, cursing, frontier toughs found each other very
agreeable. They had made each other's acquaintance at the camp-fire on
the bank the night previous and like many new and hastily made
friendships, it had not had time to show its weaknesses. One of them had
stolen a bottle of liquor at the camp-fire carousal and upon learning of
the change shortly after supper, had led his new roommate to their joint
quarters to celebrate the event; where they both remained.

The early par