Eat, sure--yer know Jack Rale ?" "Never heerd the name." "What, hell! never heerd o' Jack Rale! Ol' river man, half hoss, half alligator; uster tend bar in Saint Louee.

He's up yere now, a sellin' forty-rod ter sojers.

Cum up 'long with him frum Beardstown.

Got a shack back yere, an' is a gittin' rich--frien' o' mine.

Yer just cum 'long with me--thas all." I permitted him to lead me, his voice never ceasing as we followed the dim trail.