We heerd down et Saint Louee he'd killed 'bout a hundred whites, an' burned sum ov 'em--ther ol' devil." "And where is he now ?" "Dunno; never wus up in yer afore.

We bin runnin' 'tween Saint Louee an' New Orleans, 'till the Gov'ment took us.

Maybe the captain kin tell yer--sumwhar up Rock River, I reckon, wharever that is." We climbed the steep steps to the upper deck, and were met at the head of the ladder by the captain, evidently desirous of looking me over.
He was a solidly-built individual, wearing white side-whiskers, and a bulbous nose, and confronted me not altogether pleasantly.
"All right, are you?
Water pretty cold yet, I reckon.

Been sticking on that snag for long ?" "Several hours; but my boat was wrecked before we lodged there." The captain laughed, and winked aside at the mate.
"Seems to be a mighty populous river up this way, hey, Mapes ?" he remarked genially.

"Castaways round every bend." "What do you mean?
Have you picked up others ?" "Certainly have.