"Not that I am aware of," answered Bob, smiling.
"When did you get it?" gasped Wolverton. "Wasn't your cargo stolen?"
"Yes, by emissaries of yours!" was Bob's unexpected reply; "but I recovered it, and sold the grain for two dollars and a quarter a bushel."
"You recovered it?" said Wolverton, turning pale.
"Yes; and the men that stole it are now in jail. I have a letter from one of them, declaring that he was employed by you."
"It's a lie!" hastily exclaimed the agent; but he looked frightened.
"I have reason to believe it is true. Mr. Wolverton, your base conspiracy failed."
"I guess I'll go," said Wolverton, rising. He wanted time to think.
"Not just yet! Here are two persons who wish to see you"; and, to Wolverton's surprise, Sam and Robert Granger entered the room.
"You didn't expect to see me, Aaron Wolverton," said Captain Granger. "I have come here with your nephew to demand restitution of the property which you have appropriated to your own use, giving him to understand that he was living on charity."
Wolverton looked like a man in a state of collapse. He didn't dare to deny what he knew Captain Granger would have no difficulty in proving. He glared at Sam as if he would like to have him in his power for a short time.
"I will answer for him," said Captain Granger. "Sam is of an age when the law authorizes him to select his own guardian. I have accepted the trust, and I demand the transfer of his property to me."
If there had been any chance of success, Wolverton would have contested the matter, and, as it was, he interposed all the obstacles in his power. Finally, Sam got his own, however, much to Wolverton's disappointment.
Five years have passed. The mortgage on Burton's Ranch has long since been paid, and Bob is making a handsome profit every year for his mother and himself. Clip is still a member of the family, and, though he cannot be called a model of industry, he is a favorite through his good nature and love of fun. He is thoroughly loyal to the Burtons, and hates Wolverton as much as it is in his nature to hate anybody. Wolverton is getting worse in temper as he grows older, and his ill-gotten gains do not bring him happiness. The sight of Bob's prosperity is gall and wormwood to him; but for this Bob cares little. Sam is employed in a store under his new guardian's charge, but every summer he comes to Burton's Ranch and stays a month, where he, Bob, and Clip have fine times. Mrs. Burton is happy in her prosperity, and is thankful to God for having given her so good a son. Bob has made more than one trip down the river, but none so eventful as the one described in this story.