up the Mississippi. We had a time getting it in here, I can tell
you. When we did, and reported it to the City Marshal, he showed us a
telegram from a Mr. Winn Caspar, asking him to look out for just such a
raft. We knew this must be the one, for we had found this book lying
on the table, with the name 'Winn Caspar' written all over the
fly-leaf, as though some one had been practising the signature. Sure
enough, a man who said his name was 'Winn Caspar' turned up this
morning, bringing a friend with him. They told a straight enough story
of how their raft had been stolen near St. Louis, and described it
perfectly. They even described the interior of this 'shanty' and
everything in it, including this identical book, as though they had
lived here all their lives. So, of course, both the Marshal and we
thought it was all right; and I don't see even now, if this is your
raft, how those fellows knew all about it as they did. The only thing
they slipped up on was the broken door, and they owned they couldn't
account for that. It seems as if some one must have boarded the raft
before we did and broken into the 'shanty.' The men said there wasn't
anything missing, though. Perhaps you can tell us what has been
stolen."

"No," replied Billy Brackett, "I can't tell that, but I can tell who
broke in that door. I can also relate a tale of adventure and
misadventure in connection with this raft that would excite the envy of
any member of the Second Division, including even the Baldheads, and
you, who were the most reckless young scapegrace of the lot."

Whereupon the young engineer told these interested listeners the whole
history of the _Venture_ from the time the raft was put together down
to the present moment. In it he included the _Whatnot_, Cap'n Cod,
Sabella, Solon, Reward, and Don Blossom, Sheriff Riley, the
"river-traders," Clod, Aunt Viney, and, above all, Bim, who barked
loudly, and rushed wildly about the room at this honorable mention of
his name.

When the story was finished, Glen Elting heaved a deep sigh, and said
to Winn, "Well, you have had a good time. I thought we had about the
best times any fellows could have when we crossed the plains with Billy
Brackett last year, but it seems to me that you are having just about
as much fun right here on this muddy old river as we had out there. I
only wish we had a raft." Then turning to Billy Brackett, he asked,
"What are you going to do next?"

"I don'