CHAPTER XXIX.
BIM BRINGS ABOUT A JOYFUL MEETING.
Even with Bim's aid, Billy Brackett failed to find the man who had escaped him in Alton by running through the store and out of its back door.

The young engineer was convinced that he was one of those who had stolen the raft, and it was certainly very trying to recover the trail, as he had just done, only to lose it again immediately.

So loath was he to abandon the search that it was very nearly noon before he did so, and retraced his steps to the river.

As he approached the place where the _Whatnot_ had been moored, he was surprised not to see the boat, and turned towards a group of men, all of whom seemed to be talking at once, to make inquiries.

At that moment the group opened, and from it Cap'n Cod, red-faced and anxious, came hastily stumping in his direction.
"Where is the _Whatnot_ ?" asked Billy Brackett.
"That's what I want to know," replied the other, excitedly.