38

LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI.

1 Now you're talking! What did you come aboard here, for ? To
steal ?'

' No, sir, I didn't.—It was only to get a ride on the raft. All boys does
that;

1 Well, I know that. But what did you hide for ? '

' Sometimes they drive the boys off.'

* CHABLES WILLIAM ALLBEIGHT, SIB.'

' So they do, They might steal. Looky-here; if we let you off this
time, will you keep out of these kind of scrapes hereafter ?'
* 'Deed I will, boss. You try me.'
*AH right, then. You ain't but little ways from shore Overboard
with, you, and don't you make a fool of yourself another time this way.—
Blast it, boy, some raftsmen would rawhide you till you were black and
blue!