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Well, I just felt sick. But I says, I got to do it -- I can't get out of it. Right

then, along comes a skiff with two men in it, with guns, and they stopped and I

stopped. One of them says: ssssssssss

"What's that, yonder?"

"A piece of a raft," I says.

"Do you belong on it?"

"Yes, sir." ssssssssss

"Any men on it?"

"Only one, sir."

"Well, there's five niggers run off to-night, up yonder above the head of

the bend. Is your man white or black?" ssssssssss

I didn't answer up prompt. I tried to, but the words wouldn't come.

I tried, for a second or two, to brace up and out with it, but I warn't man

enough -- hadn't the spunk of a rabbit. I see I was weakening; so I just give up

trying, and up and says -- ssssssssss

"He's white." ssssssssss

"I reckon we'll go and see for ourselves."

"I wish you would," says I, il because it's pap that's there, and maybe you'd

help me tow the raft ashore where the light is. He's sick -- and so is mam and

Mary Ann." ssssssssss

"Oh, the devil! we're in a hurry, boy. But I s'pose we've got to. Come --

buckle to your paddle, and let's get along."

I buckled to my paddle and they laid to their oars. When we had made a

stroke or two, I says: ssssssssss

"Pap'll be mighty much obleeged to you, I can tell you. Everybody goes away

when I want them to help me tow the raft ashore, and I can't do it by myself."

"Well, that's infernal mean. Odd, too. Say, boy, what's the matter with

your father?" ssssssssss

"It's the -- a -- the -- well, it ain't anything, much."

They stopped pulling. It warn't but a mighty little ways to the raft, now.

One says: ssssssssss

"Boy, that's a lie. What is the matter with your pap? Answer up square,

now, and it'll be the better for you.'' ssssssssss

ssssssssss

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