"Well, let me have the money, then," said Dick, gloomily.
Mrs. Kent drew from her pocket-book five ten-dollar bills and placedthem in his hand.
"Don't expect any further help," she said. "In justice to my son I mustrefuse it."
Dick left the house with an execration.
"Was there ever a more selfish, cold-hearted woman?" he muttered. "It'sall for her son, is it? I'd like to choke the whelp!"
With this sentiment the affectionate uncle left his sister's house.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
AN IMPORTANT COMMISSION.
It was nearly a year later, and Jasper Kent still remained in St. Louis,and in the employ of Herman Fitch. He had won his way to the favor ofhis employer, not alone on account of his personal good qualities, butbecause in the way of business he manifested an unusual aptitude. Forthis reason he had already had his pay raised to fifteen dollars a weekand was thoroughly trusted, even in matters of importance.
Of this he was about to receive an additional proof.
"Jasper," said Mr. Fitch one day, as our hero entered his counting-room,"how would you like a little journey?"
Jasper's eyes brightened.
"I would like nothing better," he answered, promptly.
"So I supposed. Young men of your age generally like to travel."
"To what place do you wish me to go, may I ask, sir?"
"To Kansas--a small town named Plattville."
"Very well, sir, I will go."
"The business is this: A firm in that town, Watts & Duncan, areconsiderably indebted to me, and I have doubts as their solvency. In theevent of their failure I want to realize as much as possible of myclaim. I don't want the other creditors to forestall me."
"Yes, sir; I see."
"It is rather a delicate commission, you perceive. You are to go thereand quietly find out what you can of their affairs, and report to me bymail. Then I shall send you instructions how to proceed."
"Very well, sir."
"Some might blame me for sending so young a messenger, but I have twoobjects in view. A boy of your age will not excite suspicion, and again,I repose great confidence in you."
Jasper was not a little gratified by this assurance.
"I will try not to disappoint your expectations," he said, earnestly.
"I don't think you will."
"When do you want me to start?"
"To-morrow."
"I'll be ready," said Jasper, briskly.
"You can go a part of the way by rail, but only a part. It is a frontiertown, and you may have to ride horseback a part of the way. That I mustleave to your judgment."
"All the better," said Jasper.
"I see you don't mind roughing it," said Mr. Fitch.
"No; that's the best part of it."
"Well, you may go home now and make preparations. To-morrow morning cometo the office for instructions and money. One thing only I suggestnow--take as little baggage as possible. It would only be in your way."
"All right, sir. I've got a small knapsack that will hold all I want tocarry."
"Good! Be here to-morrow at nine o'clock."
At the appointed hour Jasper received his instructions and a certain sumof money. He had provided himself with a belt, into which he put themoney to guard against possible robbery, carrying only a few dollars ina pocket-book for outward show.
In explanation of these precautions it must be stated that the eventswhich I am describing took place some years since, when Kansas was moresparsely settled and life less secure than at present.
He received his instructions, and set out on his journey, secretlyenvied by other clerks who had been longer in the office than himself,but who had not been complimented by having a similar trust reposed inthem.
We will follow him and see how he fares.
CHAPTER XXXV.
AN INDIAN MAIDEN.
From the information afforded by his employer Jasper was led to expect asomewhat adventurous journey. He was not to be disappointed. As long ashe was in the well-settled part of the country he encountered nodifficulties nor adventures worth recording. Plattville, as alreadystated, was a frontier town, and there was a large tract of almostuninhabited country between it and the nearest settlement.
Late in the afternoon of the fourth day Jasper found himself standing onthe bank of a river which must be crossed. There was no boat in sight,and he was puzzled what to do. While he was considering, a young Indiangirl glided by in a canoe. She handled the paddle dexterously and as onewho had been long accustomed to the exercise, though she did not lookmore than twelve years of age.
"I wonder if she understands English?" thought Jasper. "Perhaps I couldget her to ferry me across."
Acting upon this thought he called out:
"Halloo, there!"
The young girl turned quickly, and discovered Jasper, whom she had notbefore seen.
She stopped paddling, and asked, in a musical voice:
"White boy speak?"
"Yes," said Jasper. "Do you speak English?"
"A little."
"I want to go across the river. Will you take me in your canoe?"
The girl hesitated a moment, perhaps from uncertainty as to whether shecould trust our hero, for she surveyed him attentively. It appeared thather impressions were favorable, for she turned her canoe to the shoreand said, simply:
"Yes."
"Thank you," said Jasper, and he promptly took his place in the frailcraft.
The Indian girl pushed off and began to paddle rapidly.
"It seems odd to be ferried by a girl," thought Jasper. "I think I oughtto offer to take her place." "Shall I paddle instead of you?" he asked.
The girl laughed and shook her head.
"White boy not know how to paddle a canoe--tip it over," and she laughedagain.
"I don't know but I should," thought Jasper, as he noticed how light andfrail the little canoe was, and how a slight motion would agitate it.
"Do you live around here?" he asked, in some curiosity.
"Up the river," said the girl, indicating with her head, for her handswere occupied.
"Have you a father?"
"Monima's father great chief," said the girl, proudly.
"Monima! Is that your name?"
"Yes."
"It is a pretty name."
The girl laughed and appeared to be pleased with the compliment, thoughit was only to her name. She seemed in turn to be possessed bycuriosity, for she asked:
"What white boy's name?"
"Jasper."
"Jasper," she repeated, with difficulty.
"Isn't it a pretty name?"
"No," said Monima, laughing.
"I am sorry you don't like it, Monima."
"I like white boy. He will be big warrior some day."
"I don't know about that, Monima. So your father is a chief?"
"Yes," said Monima, proudly. "Great chief."
"Did he give you this canoe?"
"Yes."
"Have you any brothers and sisters?"
"One brother, young man; no sister."
By this time they had reached the other side. Monima skilfully drew upthe canoe alongside, and Jasper jumped out. He stood on the bank, anddrew from his vest-pocket a silver half-dollar, which he handed toMonima.
"Monima no want money," said the girl, proudly.
"Keep it to remember white boy," said Jasper.
"Monima will remember white boy without money."
Jasper reluctantly put the money in his pocket, but he did not like toaccept the favor from Monima without rendering her some return. He wasin doubt at first, but finally an idea occurred to him. He had half adozen photographs of himself, which he had recently had taken in St.Louis. He drew out one of these and extended it to Monima.
"Take that, Monima," he said. "Keep that and remember me."
Monima's face lighted up with wonder and admiration when she saw thephotograph, for she had never seen one before. She look
ed from thepicture to Jasper, and from Jasper back again to the picture, andlaughed softly.
"White boy's picture?" she said.
"Yes, Monima. Do you think it looks like me?"
She nodded emphatically.
"Two white boy--here and there," she said, pointing first to thepicture, then to Jasper.
"Good-bye, Monima," he said.
But the Indian girl was evidently tired of the river, for she fastenedthe canoe and walked by his side. He kept up a conversation for sometime, till she turned aside and entered a path which led into the woods.
"Does your father live there?" he asked.
"Yes," said Monima.
"Good-bye," he said.
She didn't say good-bye, but uttered a word which was probably theIndian equivalent for it, and was soon lost to his sight.
"Well, that's romantic, to begin with," thought Jasper. "The daughter ofa great chief has ferried me across the river, and I have given her myphotograph. The next romantic thing that happens to me may be my losingmy way, but I hope not."
He had a general idea of the way he wanted to go, but after awhile hebecame perplexed, and was led to doubt whether he had not gone astray.
"I wish I could find somebody to guide me," he thought.
He had his wish. A few rods farther on he came upon a man stretched uponthe grass under a tree.
"I have lost my way," he began, but before he could finish the sentencethe man sprang to his feet, and, to his dismay, he recognized Jack, theman who had had him locked up in St. Louis.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
IN DIFFICULTIES.
Jack looked at first surprised, then smiled with malicious joy as herecognized the boy who accosted him.
"Ha! my chicken, it's you, is it?" he said. "You remember me, don'tyou?"
"Yes, I remember you," said Jasper.
"I thought I'd get hold of you again some time," said Jack, "but hang meif I expected to find you out here. What brings you here?"
"I came here on business," said Jasper.
"So you are a man of business, are you?" sneered the burglar.
"I am in the employ of Herman Fitch, of St. Louis."
"The father of the boy that Dick kidnapped?"
"Yes."
"Did he send you out here?"
"Yes."
"What for?"
"On a little matter of business," said Jasper, with reserve.
"Oh, that's it. Well, you didn't expect the pleasure of seeing me, didyou?"
"I don't consider it a pleasure," said Jasper, boldly.
"Ha! you are a bold boy."
"I speak the truth."
"Well, it isn't always best to speak the truth," said Jack, frowning.
"Shall I lie to you, then?"
"Don't be impudent."
"I shan't say I am glad to see you when I am not."
"Perhaps you are right, boy. You will have no reason to be glad to seeme. Follow me."
"I would rather not."
"Follow me, or I will drive this knife into you!" said Jack, savagely,displaying a murderous-looking weapon which he carried in his girdle.
Resistance would have been unavailing and dangerous, and Jasper obeyed,resolved, however, to escape at the first opportunity.
Jack led the way into the woods, not far, however, and finally pausedunder a large tree.
"Sit down," he said, imperiously.
He threw himself down on the green sward, and Jasper, not verycomfortable in mind, sat down near him.
"Now, young fellow," said Jack, "I've got some questions to ask you."
"I suppose he is going to ask me about my escape," thought Jasper, andhe was right.
"How did you get away from that room where you were locked up?"
"I got out of the sliding-door," said Jasper.
"How did you get out of the house? Did the old man help you?"
"No," said Jasper.
"Did you go out through the front door?"
"No."
"Don't keep me asking questions," said Jack, harshly. "How did you getout, then?"
"Through the door in the roof. From there I got in through the windowinto a room in the next house."
"Ha!" said Jack. "I never thought of that. Did you have any trouble withthe people there?"
"No; I got into the room of a German, who let me spend the night withhim and take breakfast."
"So, that's the way you managed it?"
"Yes."
Jasper felt relieved that no question had been asked him as to Nancy'sagency in effecting his release. He would not have betrayed her, at anyrate, but his refusal to speak might have incensed Jack.
"Well," he said, "so much for that. Now, how much money have you gotwith you?"
This was a question which Jasper had expected and dreaded to hear, fornearly all the money in his possession belonged to his employer, and notto himself.
"Well, boy, I want an answer," said Jack, impatiently.
Jasper reluctantly drew out his pocket-book, containing, as we know, buta small portion of his money.
Jack took it, and, opening it, counted the money.
"Only twelve dollars!" he exclaimed, in disgust and disappointment.
"Don't take it," said Jasper, affecting to be very much disturbed.
"What business have you out here with such a paltry sum as twelvedollars?" demanded Jack, angrily.
"That's my business!" said Jasper.
"What do you mean, boy?"
"It certainly isn't your business how much money my employer gave me forexpenses."
"Did he expect you to make the whole journey on this contemptible sum?"
"No."
"Where's the rest, then?"
"I am to collect some money before I return," answered Jasper, with alucky thought.
Jack felt disappointed. The money Jasper was about to collect would dohim no good, as, doubtless, the boy would take good care, if oncereleased, not to be caught again.
"That's a miserable way of doing business," said Jack. "Suppose youshouldn't collect it?"
"Then I must write to the firm to send some money."
This gave Jack an idea, on which he afterward acted.
"But," continued Jasper, desirous of getting back some of the money inthe pocket-book, "if you take away all my money I can't get toPlattville to make collections."
"Is that where you are to collect money?"
"Yes."
"Will you promise me the money after you have collected it?"
"No," answered Jasper.
"You won't, eh?"
"No; I have no right to. The money won't belong to me."
"That makes no difference."
"It makes a great deal of difference to me."
"Look here, boy," said Jack, frowning, "you evidently don't know the manyou're talking to. You ain't going to bluff me off in that way," and hereinforced this declaration with an oath.
"I am trying to be faithful to my employer," said Jasper.
"You've got to be faithful to me."
"What claim have you on me?" asked Jasper.
"You're in my power--that's the claim I have. Do you understand that?"
"I understand what you mean," said Jasper.
"Then I've only to say that it'll be best for you to remember it."
"Tell me again what you want."
"What I did want was, that you should collect this money and bring it tome."
"I refuse."
"You needn't, for I don't intend to let you go out of my sight. I can'ttrust you. No; I have another plan in view."
Jasper did not ask what it was. He felt sure that it was nothing that hewould be willing to do.
"What is the name of your employer?"
"Herman Fitch."
"Very good."
Jack drew from his pocket a small pocket-inkstand, a pen, and somepaper.
"Now," said he, "I want you to write a letter."
"Write a letter! To whom?" inquired Jasper, in surprise.
/> "To this man Fitch, telling him that you have had your pocket picked andneed some money. Tell him you will need at least seventy-five dollars,as you haven't been able to collect anything."
"I can't do it," said Jasper.
"Can't do it! What do you mean?"
"I mean that by such a letter I should deceive my employer and beobtaining money from him by false pretenses. I can't do it."
"Look here, boy," said Jack, sternly, "you don't know the man you aretrifling with. I am a desperate man, and will stick at nothing. I havetaken life before, and I am ready to do so again. Write this letter or Iwill kill you!"
Jasper listened with horror to this terrible confession and his equallyterrible threat.
"Would you take my life for seventy-five dollars?" he said.
"Yes; your life is nothing to me, and I need the money. Quick, youranswer!"
As he spoke he drew out a long, murderous-looking knife, and approachedJasper menacingly.
It was a terrible moment. Jack looked as if he fully intended to carryout his threat At any rate, there was danger of it. On the one side wasdeath, on the other breach of trust.
Finally he decided.
"You may kill me if you will," he said at length, "but I won't write theletter."
Jack uttered an execration and raised the knife, but suddenly he uttereda stifled cry and fell to the ground, with blood spurting from a woundin his breast.