"What's wrong, Bill?" I asked.
When I got back to the cave, Bill and the boy were not to be found. I sat down and waited for them. Two hours ago, I went to Summit--the town where the kid lived and sent a letter to his father Ebenezer Dorset. In the letter, I told him his son was kidnapped* and demanded* ＄1,500 for his return.
Later, Bill walked into the cave tiredly. Behind him was the kid, stepping softly, with a big smile on his face.
"I took the boy out." said Bill, "He was curious about everything. Here're many questions I can't answer. So he became angry and kicked my legs and bit my hand. He's gone home now. I showed him the road to Summit. I'm sorry we lose the ransom*, but if not, I'll go mad." I could understand Bill's feeling. Yesterday, the boy sat on Bill's chest and put a knife on his throat for fun when Bill woke up. From that moment, Bill's spirit was broken. He was afraid to stay with the kid.
"Turn around and have a look behind you. " said I. Bill saw the boy and turned pale. One day later, I received a note:
Gentlemen: I think you are a little high in your demands for the ransom. It's hard to stay with my boy Johnny. Here's a suggestion for you. You bring him home and pay me＄250, and I agree to take him off your hands. You'd better come at night, for the neighbours believe he is lost.
Ebenezer Dorset.
I couldn't believe my eyes. Bill seemed happy about this reply. "We have the money. If we pay it, we can take him off our hands. I think Mr. Dorset is kind for making us such an offer. You aren't going to let the chance go, are you?"
I finally agreed to pay the ransom because we both couldn't stand the boy anymore. We took him home that night. The boy didn't want to go home because he thought it was fun to camp outside and he hated going to school. We told him that his father had bought a new gun for him, and we were going to hunt bears the next day.
It was just twelve o'clock when we knocked at Ebenezer's door. When the door was open, Bill gave the money to Mr. Dorset and hurried to leave.
