"Very well, sir, I will go."
"The business is this: A firm in that town, Watts & Duncan, are considerably indebted to me, and I have doubts as their solvency. In the event of their failure I want to realize as much as possible of my claim. 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 there and quietly find out what you can of their affairs, and report to me by mail. 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 two objects 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 a.s.surance.
"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 frontier town, and you may have to ride horseback a part of the way. That I must leave 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 come to the office for instructions and money. One thing only I suggest now--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 to carry."
"Good! Be here to-morrow at nine o"clock."
At the appointed hour Jasper received his instructions and a certain sum of money. He had provided himself with a belt, into which he put the money to guard against possible robbery, carrying only a few dollars in a pocket-book for outward show.
In explanation of these precautions it must be stated that the events which I am describing took place some years since, when Kansas was more spa.r.s.ely settled and life less secure than at present.
He received his instructions, and set out on his journey, secretly envied by other clerks who had been longer in the office than himself, but who had not been complimented by having a similar trust reposed in them.
We will follow him and see how he fares.
CHAPTER x.x.xV.
AN INDIAN MAIDEN.
From the information afforded by his employer Jasper was led to expect a somewhat adventurous journey. He was not to be disappointed. As long as he was in the well-settled part of the country he encountered no difficulties nor adventures worth recording. Plattville, as already stated, was a frontier town, and there was a large tract of almost uninhabited country between it and the nearest settlement.
Late in the afternoon of the fourth day Jasper found himself standing on the 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 Indian girl glided by in a canoe. She handled the paddle dexterously and as one who had been long accustomed to the exercise, though she did not look more than twelve years of age.
"I wonder if she understands English?" thought Jasper. "Perhaps I could get 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 not before 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 she could trust our hero, for she surveyed him attentively. It appeared that her impressions were favorable, for she turned her canoe to the sh.o.r.e and said, simply:
"Yes."
"Thank you," said Jasper, and he promptly took his place in the frail craft.
The Indian girl pushed off and began to paddle rapidly.
"It seems odd to be ferried by a girl," thought Jasper. "I think I ought to 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 laughed again.
"I don"t know but I should," thought Jasper, as he noticed how light and frail 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 hands were occupied.
"Have you a father?"
"Monima"s father great chief," said the girl, proudly.