The river-men of that time were rather given to profanity, so their yarns were freely interspersed with oaths.
Suddenly Tom said in a loud whisper: "Dry up! Don't you see the youngster is saying his prayers ?" A hush fell on the group, all looked around.

Paul, kneeling on the damp, dirty beam alongside his bunk, was repeating the prayers learned at his mother's knee.
With the return of daylight, the remorseful feeling of a runaway boy came strongly upon him and Paul thoroughly realized how cruel he had been to his dear mother.

He begged his friend Tom to get him back or to send a letter home.

Tom dissuaded him from returning, but helped him write a letter which was posted at Wheeling, Va.

This informed his mother that he was safe and would be taken good care of.