Whenever the boat made a landing, he was always on deck watching the negroes, as they rolled bales of cotton down the steep bluffs or struggled with the refractory hogs who refused to come aboard.
The loud commands and fierce oaths of the mate made him feel very grateful that he was not a roustabout.

About five weeks from the time he had so thoughtlessly embarked on the coal fleet, he stood hesitatingly half a block from his mother's home, holding in his hand the cage containing his red birds, while snugly stowed away in the bosom of his shirt was his much cherished pet, the alligator.

He was not sure of the reception he would receive; but at length he steeled his nerves for whatever was in store and made a rush for the house.

The delighted mother folded him in her arms and covered his face with kisses.

His brothers and sisters grouped around with words of welcome for the prodigal.
"Thank God that you are safe home again, dear Paul," exclaimed his mother, as she embraced him again and again.
"But what's this ?" She started back, for she had felt something squirming inside of his shirt.
"Oh, that's my dear little alligator," and Paul put in his hand and pulled out his pet.