You tend to it, Mapes." The liquor I drank out of a bottle burnt like fire, but brought me new strength, so that, with Mapes' help, I got to my feet, and stared about at the group of faces surrounding us.

They were those of typical river men, two negroes and three whites, ragged, dirty, and disreputable.
Mapes was so bushily bearded, that about all I could perceive of his face was the eyes, yet these were intelligent, and I instantly picked him out as being the mate.
"How long yer all bin roostin' on thet snag ?" he questioned, evidently somewhat amused.

"Dem me, stranger, if I ever see thet sorter thing done afore." "I was caught there last night," I answered, unwilling to say more, "Boat got snagged in the dark, and went down." "Live round yere, I reckon ?" "No; just floating.

Came down the Illinois.

Where is this steamer bound ?" "Hell alone knows," dryly.