"At any rate, it's my business to find out whether or not he is aboard it now.
How about using the skiff, though?
If it is the one Winn ran off with, it belongs to that Sheriff fellow.

Like as not, he has already sent word down the river to have it picked up.

In that case, if I was picked up in it, I might be accused of stealing it, which would never do in the world.

No; to be on the safe side I must leave the skiff here, and take the first down-river steamboat that stops at this landing.

First, though, I'll advertise for Winn in this town, and if I don't find him on the raft, there may be news waiting for me here when I come back." This was the plan upon which the young engineer decided to act, and immediately after breakfast he proceeded to put it into execution.
There was no paper published in the place, but it did contain a makeshift sort of a printing-office, and towards this Billy Brackett directed his steps, after learning at what hour the next down-river boat was expected.