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Serena, the boarder had taken meals in his room during his one-night stay. It would have been easy for him to keep out of Jordan’s sight.
    â€œWhen we go to Alton, you will be the only one who can identify the thief,” Libby told Peter. “How can we thank you enough?”
    â€œYou better learn to sign what you want to say,” Peter answered, and Libby wasn’t sure if he was teasing or not. Soon she found out.
    â€œYour name,” Peter said. “L for Libby.”
    Watching closely, Libby learned how to sign the letter
L
. Pointing to Jordan, Peter made the sign for
J
, then a
C
for Caleb.
    When they reached the
Christina
, Jordan talked with Pa about what had happened. Captain Norstad told him, “Yes, you can work for me again.” Jordan returned home long enough to say goodbye to his family.

    The next morning the
Christina
again steamed down the Galena River. Libby and the three boys met with Pa in his cabin. Caleb sat next to Peter, explaining on a slate.
    â€œWe have three problems now,” Captain Norstad told Jordan. “Finding your father, finding the man who stole money from your church, and finding the man who robbed me.”
    Four problems
, Libby thought, then guessed that Pa didn’t want to mention his need to make a double payment on a loan by August fifteenth.
    The July day was warm and humid, and the windows in Pa’s cabin were open. For a moment he walked around, looking through the windows as though making sure that no one hid on the deck to listen. Then he returned to where the rest of them sat at the table.
    â€œWord has gotten around about how you rescued your family,” the captain told Jordan. “It will be an especially dangerous time to ask about your father.”
    Jordan nodded, as though he understood the risks.
    But then Pa said, “When we get close to the county in which your father was sold, you need to hide.”
    Clearly Jordan was disappointed. “Who will do the asking at the courthouse?”
    â€œNot Captain Norstad,” Caleb said quickly. “If the wrong person sees him there, it could wreck everything he’s doing to help runaway slaves.”
    Pa agreed. “Slave catchers will search the
Christina
even more than they do now. Caleb needs to be the one who asks.”
    â€œCaleb?” Libby asked. Deep inside she felt scared just thinking about the danger.
    But Jordan objected. “Captain Norstad, slave catchers know Caleb. They know what he’s up to. If they recognize him, they’ll be watching him every second.”
    â€œThat’s why I’m leaving the decision up to Caleb and his grandmother. It’s impossible for you to go, Jordan. But it’s almost as dangerous for him.”
    The captain turned to Caleb. “Before we get there, I want you and Gran to agree on what you should do.”
    Then he changed the subject. “We have a number of stops on the way down the river. Tomorrow night we’ll tie up in Hannibal, Missouri. On Wednesday morning, before first light, we’ll start our celebration of Libby’s fourteenth birthday.”
    â€œMy birthday?” Until now Pa hadn’t spoken a word about it. The way Caleb looked, she suspected he already knew Pa’s plans. But neither he nor Pa would tell her more.
    â€œDon’t be surprised if Caleb’s grandmother wakes you up when it’s still dark,” Pa told Libby.
    â€œSo Gran is in on it too?” Libby could hardly wait for her big day.

    In the early morning hours, Libby heard a quiet rap on the door of her room, then the soft voice of Caleb’s grandmother. “Happy birthday, Libby.”
    Kneeling on her bed, Libby reached out to open the door.
    â€œAre you awake?” Gran asked as she came in. “It’s your special day!”
    â€œI’m awake.” Libby’s voice was groggy, but then she remembered. “It really
is
my birthday!”
    Because of the