Page:Raymond Spears--Diamond Tolls.djvu/112

 the deck a minute. "No, I'm not a writer. I used to think I was, but I know now I'm not. I'm a river rat now. Judging from what I've seen, being a river rat's enough for any man to be."

"Oh!" she observed, as though with feeling.

"Well?" he demanded, defiantly.

"I thought men were stronger—than that!"

"Than what?" he asked, wonderingly.

"From your remark, I presumed you were a quitter, and had run away—from something."

Murdong flushed, and then he laughed as his surprise yielded to the fact.

"Sure I did," he admitted, cheerfully. "That's what I'm down here for—to escape."

"And did you?" she asked, sweetly.

"N-n-no, not at first," he shook his head. "But when I passed the jumping-off place—I was all right then!"

"Isn't it strange—the Forks of the Ohio?" she shook her head, adding quickly: "That's the place you meant?"

"Yes," adding, "I couldn't help it—I would have gone crazy if I'd stuck to the job—I just had to let go I"

"I'm glad you said that," she startled him. "That's what I wanted to know. You see, I'm a stranger on the river, too. You live in that little skiff?"

"I cover it over with canvas at night—house it in.