Page 41 - In A New World

After supper they sat down on a settle in front of the inn, but presently
Fletcher strayed away into the woods at the back of the house. Some fifteen

minutes later Larry Linton also got up, but ostentatiously went in a different
direction.

"I’m going a little ways to a squatter’s to speak about some vegetables," he
said.

"If you don’t mind company, I’ll go along too," said Obed.

"Better not," answered Larry. "There’s a boggy spot which a stranger is
likely to fall into."

"I’ve had enough of bogs," said Obed, shrugging his shoulders. "Seems to

me you haven’t got much besides bogs out in Australy."

So Linton went off by himself. After he was fairly out of the way, Obed

said, turning to the two boys. "Did you think I wanted to go off with
Linton?"

"I supposed so, as you made the proposal."

"I only wanted to find out if he wanted me or not. I have my suspicions."

"What kind of suspicions?"

Harry was the speaker, as usual, for Jack never took the lead when Harry

was present.

"Fletcher and Linton are too thick together to suit me," answered the
Yankee. "Looks as if they was in league together."

"Do you think they have arranged a meeting?"

"That’s just what I do think."