"I guess I won't tell you now; but if you will come down here to-night at eleven o'clock I will let you into the whole thing." "Eleven o'clock! I can't come at that time. We all go to bed at eight o'clock." "Get up and come." "I can do that; but perhaps Mr. Nason will persuade the overseers not to send me to Jacob Wire's." "I'm glad I didn't tell you, then. But promise me this, Harry: that, whatever happens, you'll hold your tongue." "I will, Ben." "And if Nason don't get you off, be here at eleven o'clock. Put on your best clothes, and take everything you want with you." "Going to run away?" "I didn't say so." Ben made him promise again to be secret, and they separated. Harry had an idea of what his companion intended, and the scheme solved all his doubts. It was a practicable scheme of resistance, and he returned to the poorhouse, no longer fearful of the impending calamity. CHAPTER III IN WHICH HARRY LEAVES THE POORHOUSE, AND TAKES TO THE RIVER When Harry reached the poorhouse, Mr. Nason was absent, and one of the paupers told him that he had taken the horse and wagon. He conjectured that the keeper had gone to see the other overseers, to intercede with them in his behalf. He did not feel as much interest in the mission as he had felt two hours before, for Ben Stuart had provided a remedy for his grievances, which he had fully decided to adopt. It was nearly sunset before Mr. Nason returned; and when he came his looks did not seem to indicate a favorable issue. Harry helped him unharness the horse, and as he led him into the barn the keeper opened the subject. "I have been to see the other overseers, Harry," he began, in tones which seemed to promise nothing hopeful. "I thought likely you had gone." "As I supposed, they are all afraid of Squire Walker. They daresn't say their souls are their own." "Then I must go to Jacob Wire's." "The other overseers declare, if the squire says so, you must." "It is a hard case, Mr. Nason," replied Harry, not much disappointed at the result. "I know it is, Harry. Perhaps you might try the place, and then, if you found you couldn't stand it we might make another trial to get you off." "I don't want to go there, anyhow. I should like to help duck the squire in the horse pond." "Well, Harry, I have done all I can for you," continued Mr. Nason, seating himself on a keg on the barn floor. "I wish I could help you." "You have been very good to me, Mr. Nason. I shall always remember you as the best friend I ever had," replied Harry, the tears streaming down his sun-browned cheeks. "Never mind that, Harry; don't cry." "I can't help it; you have been so good to me, that I hate to leave you," blubbered Harry. "I am sorry you must leave us; we shall miss you about the place, and I wish it was so that you could stay. But what makes it ten times worse is the idea of your going to Jacob Wire's."