But with the help of the
parents I think we can pull through all straight."
"In how long a time?"
"Two or three weeks. In the meantime go on south, and I'll keep track of
you and let you know what to do."
With these parting directions the conversation ended. Mr. Hornblower
produced a flask of whisky, the two drank each other's health, and the
visitor departed.
Shortly after Bob, the sailor, turned in for the night.
Chapter XV.
Jim Travers, as he lay in his hammock, overheard every word which the two
men had said, and considerable more to the same effect.
Unusually bright and mentally strong as he was, he comprehended it all,
and read the scheme as if in a printed book.
Hornblower, seeing him making his way along the wharf in New York, had
formed the plan of abducting him, and then securing a large reward from
the parents or guardian for his return. Accordingly he stole and placed
him in charge of his gang on the schooner, and then began negotiations
with the guardians for his return.
Here a strange combination of circumstances came about.
One of the most pathetic facts that came to light regarding the abduction
of Charley Ross, was the great number of other children that have been
found who had been lost for months and years.
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