“He isn’t there!” groaned Swikes, returning to the kitchen. “He’s gone, and he may be half way to New York or some other place.” “I knew he done it!” exclaimed the female Swikes. “He done it because you licked him so in the evening,” groaned Swikes. “He’s gone and done it now.” “But we shall ketch him yet, and get the money back,” replied Mrs. Swikes, who did not like to be considered as the cause of the loss. “You’ll never see nothin’ more of that money,” added Swikes, with a heavy sigh. “You might been a little easier with him, and let him had some supper.” “He didn’t do it because he was licked, but because he is a bad boy,” retorted Mrs. Swikes. “I told you I was afraid he was corruptin’ our boy.” “He did it because he was licked with a green-hide; and boys won’t allus stand every thing,” replied Swikes petulantly. “Well, Obed, what are you a-doin’ on? while you stand here scoldin’ me, that boy is gittin’ away.” “What can I do?” “Harness your horse, and drive down to the village; you may ketch him, or hear sunthin’ on him.” “What’s all that noise out doors?” said Swikes, as he went to the window, and threw it wide open. “The bells is ringin’; and I hear folks in the road yellin’.” “There is a fire, as sure as you live!” exclaimed Mrs. Swikes, going to the window. “I can see the light on’t on the corn-house.” Swikes opened the door, and went out to the front of the house. “It’s Garlick’s barn, as sure as you was born!” cried Mrs. Swikes. “Somebody set that barn afire: it didn’t ketch without some help.” They passed out of Wade’s hearing. He knew they must go to the front of the house to see the barn which the woman said was on fire. They would not be likely to come in for a few minutes; and Wade came out of the cellar-way, and ran up to his room as fast as he could go, though he was careful not to make any unnecessary noise. In a moment he had gathered up all the clothes he had, consisting of a very indifferent suit he wore in the winter, and made haste to leave the house by the back door. He had not made up his mind what to do; but he made haste to leave that house. When he got out doors, he was afraid to leave the shadow of the house, for the fire made it as light as day all around him. He got behind the corn-house, where he could see the blazing barn: it was burning with tremendous fury, and in a few minutes there would be nothing left of it. Wade Brooks could form some idea of the person or persons who set that fire: he thought he could see a little way into Matt Swikes’s plans. CHAPTER IV. LODGINGS AFLOAT.