I was smiling grimly at this conceit, well pleased at the chance thus afforded me, when the stateroom door was suddenly flung open, and the hairy face of the mate thrust within.
"I reckon yer better tote them wet duds down ter the boiler room," he said, gruffly, "an' then git sum grub.

Likely 'nough yer wound't mind eatin' a bit.

Be yer a river man ?" "I've never worked on a steamboat, if that is what you mean." "No; well I reckoned not, but the captain he thought maybe yer had.

I tol' him yer didn't talk like no steamer hand.

Howsumever we're almightly short o' help aboard, an' maybe yer'd like a job ter help pay yer way ?" My fingers involuntarily closed on some loose gold pieces in my pocket, but a sudden thought halted me.