Once a huge cat fish from the Mississippi, unused to man, brushed against Long Jim's leg, its horn raking him slightly.

With a shout Long Jim sprang almost out of the water and clambered up the side of the boat.
"Somethin' big bit me!" he cried.

"It took one uv my legs with him!" "It's only a scared cat fish and you still have two legs, Jim," replied Henry laughing boyishly, because a boy he was in spite of his size and experience.
Jim looked down, and a great smile of delight unfolded like a fan across his face from side to side.
"Guess you're right, Henry," he said, "an' I am still all in one piece." He sprang back into the water, and he and Sol soon finished their task.
After that it was arranged that Sol, Jim, and Tom should give a thorough furbishing to the boat's interior, wash and dry their spare clothing and bedding, while Henry and Paul went on a hunt for a deer to replenish their larder.
"You see, Paul," said Henry, "the waters of this creek are quite clear, which means that it comes through good, hard ground.

It's likely that it isn't far back to one of the little prairies which I've heard are common in this part of Louisiana, and in a wild country like this where there's a prairie there's pretty likely to be deer." The logic seemed good to Paul.

At any rate he was willing enough to go on a hunt, stretch his legs, and see a new region.