Phil, Phœnix, and Adam were naturally much amazed by this second disappearance of Chap, which took place immediately after the magistrate’s examination; but all conjectures and surmises were soon put to an end by the arrival of a note from Chap, which was brought by a negro boy. It was written on the back of a business card, and read thus: “DEAR BOYS: I can’t stay to any court. Let Adam testify. You can go away by the first boat that stops at Sanford. I am going to catch the Winkyminky. She starts from Enterprise to-night. I’ll wait for you in Jacksonville. Good-by. “CHAP.” The three gazed at each other in astonishment, as they read this note by a light in their host’s hall, and when that gentleman came out to invite them to make their home in his house while they stayed in the town, they were obliged to tell him of their friend’s disappearance. He was very much surprised at the information. “He cannot take the Winkyminky,” he said, “for that boat will not stop at this town to-night. Your young friend has been mistaken in his plans, and will probably return to the shelter of my roof ere long.” The boys knew Chap, and did not believe one word of this. They were greatly disturbed, and searched and inquired everywhere for news of him. They heard nothing, however, until about twelve o’clock, when a small boat, containing two negroes, came in from the lake, and the men reported that they had taken Chap out to meet the Winkyminky, and that when that boat had come along she had stopped and taken him on board. “That’s just like Chap,” said Phil. And Phœnix and Adam agreed that it was. There was nothing for them to do but to wait till another boat should go down the river, and then to follow their captain, who, it must be admitted, had a rather curious way of leading his men. As soon as Chap had heard what the magistrate said about his remaining as a witness, he felt that if he stayed in that room an instant longer he would be compelled, by some legal process, to appear at the next term of court, and he, therefore, slipped out of a side door and ran down to the river. The Von Glode was gone, but he felt he must get away from that town. Adam intended to stay there, anyway, and he could give all the testimony that would be needed; and as for Phil and Phœnix, they had seen nothing of the assault in the woods, and, therefore, would be free to leave by the first boat that came along. He was the only one that would be put to any trouble, and he must get away. He remembered that the Winkyminky was going to Jacksonville, and he wondered if she had yet left Enterprise. If not, there might be some way of his getting across the lake, and taking passage in her. The money that had been advanced by the colonel had been divided, as Phœnix declined to be treasurer when he did not supply the funds, and Chap had enough with him to pay his passage.