Page:Raymond Spears--Diamond Tolls.djvu/120

 them. Lawse! But not every one's mean thataway. There's some down here like you—paying more'n they's asked to pay. But everybody wants to keep his eyes open, take a sharp look at a stranger every time, and not take chances with those that's crooks in the eye of them. You get to know a crook down Old Mississip'! You can tell 'em by their eyes."

Thus they talked, Mrs. Mahna being speechmaster, as she declared, adding:

"Somebody's got to talk. If I didn't you'd jes' set and think."

At nine o'clock, or a little later, Murdong rose to depart.

"You don't mind if I leave my boat where it is to-night?" he asked.

"Not at all," Mrs. Mahna answered.

Murdong started to leave, and the little visit broke up for the night. He found that Delia had taken only a few of the furnishings. She had left chairs, cooking utensils, oil stove, curtains, and even dishes, and several books. He thought the books must have been overlooked, but left the subject for the morning.

He pulled his skiff up to the stern of the cabin-boat, and brought all his own outfit on board. He locked it by the chain which had been clamped to the bow ring.

Lighting his gas-flame light, he sat down to read.