Do you twig my meaning ?" "No, certainly not," Katherine answered; then a shiver crept over her, because of the sinister interpretation which might be put to the words.
"I don't want to be hauled up in a libel case," said the Yankee.
"Are there any witnesses within hearing ?" "No, not if you keep your voice down," she answered, dropping her own, and feeling that here was something she ought to know, however unpleasant or burdensome the knowledge might prove.
"Well, they are saying that the new fleet-owner, Mr.Selincourt, ain't satisfied with things going on as they used to do, and so he has sent this young man up to spy round a bit, report the catch, keep expenses down, and that sort of thing.

Oily Dave has always reckoned to make a good picking out of the fishing, you know, and it ain't likely he'd approve of being spied upon." "Why have you told me this ?" demanded Katherine.

Her eyes were dilated with fear, and there was a sickening apprehension in her heart.

In that wild place, so far from law and order, a dozen dreadful things might happen, and the world would be none the wiser.
The Yankee laughed and stuffed a plug of tobacco into his left cheek.

Then he replied: "They all say on the river that you are a powerful smart girl, and can do most things you set your mind to.
Possession is nine points of the law, you know.