Page:Life on the Mississippi (IA lifeonmississipptwai).pdf/66

 60 told me to swim off here, because when you went by he said he would like to get some of you to speak to a Mr. Jonas Turner, in Cairo, and tell him—"

"Oh, come!"

"Yes, sir, it 's as true as the world; Pap he says—"

"Oh, your grandmother!"

They all laughed, and I tried again to talk, but they broke in on me and stopped me.

"CHARLES WILLIAM ALLBRIGHT, SIR."

"Now, looky-here," says Davy; "you 're scared, and so you talk wild. Honest, now, do you live in a scow, or is it a lie?"

"Yes, sir, in a trading scow. She lays up at the head of the bend. But I war n't born in her. It's our first trip."

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