THE CAPTAIN’S RESOLVE.
TOM WAS up and about early the next morning. But there was one who was
earlier than he. On leaving the robbers he saw the captain pacing to and
fro, apparently engrossed by his reflections. When he saw Tom he
beckoned to him.
“Take a walk with me,” he said abruptly. “I want to speak to you.”
Tom, of course, joined him promptly.
“Let us go further away,” said the robber, looking about him cautiously.
“What I have to say is for your ears alone.”
“I shall take care to keep it secret,” said Tom in a low voice.
“You must, for I am about to say what will compromise my safety. But, in
the first place, can you guarantee that I shall receive ten thousand
dollars on the delivery of these papers?”
“I can,” said Tom promptly. “Mr. Armstrong has authorized me to make
such an offer.”
“Is he a man to be relied upon? You know my position. I am an outlaw. I
cannot appeal to the law in my own behalf.”
“I understand your position fully,” said Tom. “As to your being an
outlaw, I have nothing to do with that, nor has Mr. Armstrong. You have
in your possession the papers which we need. It is worth our while to
pay ten thousand dollars. You may be sure the money will be paid, and
that no trap will be set for you. Should you be recognized, it will not
be through any information obtained from me or Mr. Armstrong.”
“That is enough,” said the captain. “Though you are only a boy, there is
something about you that I can trust. You understand business. You have
gone to the root of the matter without any unnecessary words. I will
confide in you, and in so confiding I put my life in your hands.”
Tom listened with surprise. He could not understand what was coming.
The captain proceeded:
“You know me as the captain of a band of robbers, but you do not
understand that I have in a manner been forced into my position. I don’t
like the life I am leading. I want to leave it, and I think I see the
way. With the money you promise me, I will change my name, go to some
obscure place, and lead a respectable life, entering upon some business
of which I shall not be ashamed.”
“Do so,” said Tom earnestly. “I am glad to hear you say this, and I will
do what I can to help you.”
The captain appeared pleased with his prompt sympathy and proceeded:
“Of course my plan must be a profound secret. If the band were to learn
what I propose I should never live to leave California. They would
regard me as a traitor and a renegade, and would feel that they were
entitled to a share in the money obtained for these bonds.”
“How, then, will you manage to leave?” asked Tom, interested.
“I will tell you. I shall say that I am going to San Francisco in
disguise to negotiate these securities, and will bring back the
proceeds. I hope this will deceive them. But the one whom I dread the
most is Alonzo.”
“The lieutenant?”
“Yes; he is my second in command. Our relations have not always been
cordial. He is in the habit of exceeding his proper authority, and more
than once I have been compelled to reprimand him publicly. Though he has
taken it quietly, I have reason to believe that he never forgave
me—that, in fact, he cherishes a secret grudge against me, and that he
would willingly undermine my authority with the band. He has not as yet
had an opportunity.”
“I should think, then, that he would be glad to have you leave, in order
that he might succeed to your authority.”
“That would not satisfy him. He would not be willing to have me better
myself in so doing. He would prefer that I should be cast adrift in
disgrace.”
“Have you decided upon your plan?” asked our hero.
“Yes; after breakfast I will dismiss you and the other prisoners. They
will go on to the mines, I suppose.”
“Yes, I think so.”
“You will not.”
“No; I shall return to San Francisco.”
“Good. I shall follow you. It would create suspicion if we should go
together. You shall give me your address there, and I will join you.
Then we will take the first steamer to New York.”
Tom nodded. He felt that the plan was a good one, and that he was now in
a fair way to accomplish successfully the object which had brought him
so far from home.
“Agreed,” he said, “Call for me at Burton’s clothing store, —— Street,
Even if I am not staying there, you will learn where I am.”
The captain repeated the name two or three times.
“I will not forget it,” he said. “Of one thing I will apprise you. You
must not expect to know me at first meeting.”
“Why not?”
“I shall be cleverly disguised. It is necessary, for unfortunately I am
not altogether unknown to the authorities. Once let me get away from
California, and I shall feel comparatively safe. I may as well tell you
by what name I prefer to be known. I shall call myself James Davenport.
Under that name, if fortune favors me, I hope to build up a respectable
future, far from the scene of my lawless proceedings.”
Tom knew little of the man who was walking beside him, except what he
had chosen to communicate. He knew not in what ways he had violated the
laws, nor did he now take this into consideration. He pictured him as a
man who wanted to forsake the evil of his ways, and become a respectable
and law-abiding citizen, and with the instinct of a generous nature, he
felt like doing all in his power to help him, apart from any selfish
interest of his own. Instinctively he held out his hand, and the captain
grasped it in his own.
“Whatever may happen,” said the robber, “I shall have full confidence in
your word. You have it in your power to denounce me to the authorities
in San Francisco, but I am sure you will not do it.”
“You only do me justice,” said Tom.
“Or you could reveal my purpose to these men under my command, and this
would insure my death, provided they had confidence in your word.”
“You are not afraid of that?” asked Tom, looking him full in the face.
“No,” said the captain. “As I said in the first place, there is
something about you that enlists my confidence. I would trust you as
myself.”
“You may,” said Tom.
They had turned back, and were again near the building occupied by the
band. Only one was stirring. This was Alonzo, who watched their
approach.
“You are up early, captain,” he said.
“Yes,” returned the captain carelessly; “I have been taking a walk. I
did not sleep well.”
“What is on his mind?” thought the lieutenant. “Something is up. I can
see it in his manner. I must watch him.”
“I don’t like his looks,” thought Tom. “He is a dangerous man. The
captain does right in suspecting him.”
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