"My uncle knocked me over and I fell against a block of wood."
"What made him attack you?" inquired Bob, indignantly.
"I don't know; he got mad with me for nothing at all. He's been in an awful temper all the morning. Something must have happened to vex him."
Bob smiled. He could understand what had happened. Wolverton's disappointment at the failure of his villainous plan had no doubt soured him, and, like a born bully, he had vented his spite upon the poor boy who was dependent upon him.
"I wish you'd more spunk, Sam," Bob said. "He wouldn't dare to attack me in that way."
"You're stronger and braver than I am, Bob. I can't be like you. I wish I could."
"Your uncle is no more nor less than a bully. He imposes upon you because he thinks it is safe to do so. He wouldn't dare tackle me, because he knows it wouldn't be safe."
"Bob," said Sam, solemnly, "I've borne it as long as I'm going to. I am not going back to my uncle's house."
"Yes, I do. It's the only home I have, but I would rather go without a home than to be beaten and ill-treated by Uncle Aaron."
"I commend your pluck, Sam. I can't say I think you are doing wrong."
"I have a favor to ask of you, Bob. You are my only friend."
"Let me go with you to St. Louis. It would make me happy to be with you, and I should be out of my uncle's way."
Bob paused for consideration, the proposal being unexpected.
"But suppose, Sam, I am charged with abducting you?"
"I'll take all the blame. Let me hide on the ferry-boat, and I won't show myself until you've got miles away."
"That might do," said Bob, smiling. "Perhaps it isn't exactly square, but with such a man as your uncle we must make use of his own methods."
"You will take me, then?" asked Sam, eagerly.
"Clip," said Bob, "go with Sam and hide him somewhere on the boat, but don't tell me where he is concealed. Then, if old Wolverton comes after him I can say truly that I don't know where he is."
"All right, Massa Bob," said Clip, showing his teeth.
When the contents of the boat had been transferred to the larger craft, Bob rowed back, leaving Clip and Sam together. The boat was roofed over, as already stated. Besides the bins there was a corner in which some bedding had been placed for the accommodation of the young voyagers. But it seemed difficult to find a suitable hiding-place for Sam.