“We only came down here to have a sail. We are going down to the Sound,” replied Matt, looking at his companion. “You said you were bound to New York,” added Wade with a significant wink. “I said that in fun,” laughed Matt. “Of course we shouldn’t think of such a thing as going to New York in this old boat.” “I shouldn’t think you’d go to New York in this boat,” added Wade. “We haven’t got any thing to eat, and no money to buy any thing with: so we couldn’t go if we wanted to,” continued Matt, with a sly wink at Lon. The remark that they had no money was truer than either of them supposed; but, for the present, Wade kept his own counsel. “What were you going to talk with Garlick about, Wade?” asked Lon, who did not exactly like the looks of this statement. “Matters and things in general,” replied Wade. “In the first place, I was accused of stealing that money; and, as Mr. Garlick seems to be a fair man, I wanted to talk with him about that. He was fair about the peaches; and, when he found he was wrong, he owned right up like a man. I wanted to ask him what he thought I had better do about it. I knew Matt took the money, for I saw him do it. Then I wanted to tell him that Matt was out of the house just before the fire; for I thought he might want to know about that.” “What do you mean by that, Wade?” demanded Matt, beginning to shake in his shoes again. “When the fire broke out in that barn, I knew as well as I do now who touched it off,” added Wade, in a very matter-of-fact manner, rather than as one who was making grave charges. “Who was it, Wade?” asked Matt, so agitated that he could hardly speak. “You and Lon, of course; and I guess about all the folks in town know it by this time. When I was going down to the boat I heard two men in a wagon talking about it.” “That Lon and I set Garlick’s barn on fire!” exclaimed Matt. “It’s the biggest lie that ever was told!” “I guess not,” added Wade. “Your folks will be willing to believe it when they find you are gone; and they know it by this time.” “Are we to be accused of setting that barn on fire because we came down here to take a sail?” demanded Matt with all the indignation he could assume. “I guess so,” said Wade, with a smile at the thin talk of Matt. “Let it drop,” added Lon, who did not believe it was of any use to deny the charge, if it was all over town. “But, if you are going to New York, it is time to be moving,” said Wade with a chuckle. “Where are we now?” “We can’t be a great way from the mouth of the river,” replied Lon, beginning to hoist the mainsail. Wade took hold, and helped him, and did not retain possession of the stick, for Lon seemed to be entirely peaceful.