De sheriff he goes der odder way,
down stream in a rowboat; an' dat's how dey aims ter sure head us off."

I sat down at the edge of the bluff, convinced that the conclusions of
the negro were probably correct. That was undoubtedly about how it had
happened. To attempt pursuit up stream with only oars as propelling
power, would be senseless, but the passage upward of this troop boat
afforded Kirby an opportunity he would not be slow to accept. Getting
aboard would present no great difficulty, and his probable acquaintance
with the captain would make the rest easy.

The steamer by this time was moving diagonally across the river, head
toward the other shore, and was already so far away the men on deck
were invisible. It was scarcely probable that Kirby would go far
northward, but just what course the man would take when once more
ashore was problematical. Where he might choose to seek for us could
not be guessed. Yet the mere fact that he was already above us on the
river was in itself a matter for grave consideration. Still, thus far
we remained unlocated, and there was less danger in that direction than
down stream. Donaldson, angered by the loss of his boat, and the
flight of Sam, would surely see to it that no craft slipped past St.
Louis unchallenged. In this respect he was more to be feared than
Kirby, with a hundred miles of river to patrol; while, once we attained
the Illinois, and made arrangements with Shrunk, the immediate danger
would be over. Then I need go no farther--the end of the adventure
might be left to others. I looked up--the steamer was a mere smudge on
the distant bosom of the river.

CHAPTER XV

THE CABIN OF AMOS SHRUNK

Beyond this passing of the _John B. Glover_, the day proved uneventful,
although all further desire for sleep deserted me. It was late
afternoon before Rene finally emerged from the cabin to learn the news,
and I spent most of the time on watch, seated at the edge of the bluff,
my eyes searching the surface of the river. While Kirby's presence up
stream, unquestionably increased our peril of capture, this did not
cause me as much anxious thought as did the strange disappearance of
Free Pete, and the two women. What had become of them during the
night? Surely they could never have out-stripped us, with only a pair
of oars by which to combat the current, and yet we had obtained no
glimpse of them anywhere along that stretch of river.

The knowledge that