notorious, one-legged robber, Micah Harpe, and
his den on the shore of the Ohio and of the cunning of the outlaw in
evading capture.

"I got his partner, Mike Fink, and Major Washington give me fifty
pounds for the job," said Solomon. "They say Harpe's son disappeared
long time ago an' I wouldn't wonder if you an' me had seen him do it."

"The white man that hung back in the bushes so long? I'll never forget
him," said Jack.

"Them wimmen couldn't 'a' been in wuss hands."

"It was a lucky day for them and for me," Jack answered. "I have here
a letter from Margaret. I wish you would read it."

Solomon read the girl's letter and said:

"If I was you I'd swim the big pond if nec'sary. This 'ere is a real
simon pure, four-masted womern an' she wants you fer Captain. As the
feller said when he seen a black fox, 'Come on, boys, it's time fer to
wear out yer boots.'"

"I'm tied to my job."

"Then break yer halter," said Solomon.

"I haven't money enough to get married and keep a wife."

"What an ignorant cuss you be!" Solomon exclaimed. "You don't 'pear to
know when ye're well off."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that ye're wuth at least a thousan' pounds cash money."

"I would not ask my father for help and I have only forty pounds in the
bank," Jack answered.

Solomon took out his wallet and removed from it a worn and soiled piece
of paper and studied the memoranda it contained. Then he did some
ciphering with a piece of lead. In a moment he said:

You have got a thousan' an' fifteen pounds an' six shillin' fer to do
with as ye please an' no questions asked--nary one."

"You mean you've got it."

"Which means that Jack Irons owns it hide, horns an' taller."

Tears came to the boy's eyes. He looked down for a moment without
speaking. "Thank you, Solomon," he said presently. "I can't use your
money. It wouldn't be right."

Solomon shut one eye an' squinted with the other as if he were taking
aim along the top of a gun barrel. Then he shook his head and drawled:

"Cat's blood an' gunpowder! That 'ere slaps me in the face an' kicks
me on the shin," Solomon answered. "I've walked an' paddled eighty
mile in a day an' been stabbed an' shot at an' had to run fer my life,
which it ain't no fun--you hear to me. Who do ye s'pose I done it fer
but you an' my kentry? There ain't nobody o' my name an' blood on this
side o' the ocean--not nobody at all. An' if I kin't work fer you,
Jack, I'd just