Page:Raymond Spears--Diamond Tolls.djvu/128

 "Why didn't you get a shantyboat and drop down thataway? Then you'd get to know the river."

"Never thought of it—really; I don't know anything about the river, and I didn't want to try it. Besides, I didn't have time; I'm going to N'Orleans. How are you coming on?"

"All right." Gost shook his head. "I get my G. B. to-morrow—broke!"

"So! Then what?"

Dan shrugged his shoulders, and turned pale with pain.

"Some shantyboat'll take me on a while—lot's of friends on the river."

"Can't I help you?"

"You might," the wounded man studied, "you done me a good turn that time they had me, two-three years ago. If we had a boat"

"How much would it cost?"

"We could get a good one for fifty, a hundred or along there—little shantyboat. There's some in West Hickman; I saw 'em when I went by. Could you do it? There's—there's more in it than you know, old sport!"

"Sure I can—I've a month if I want it."

"You saved my life," the patient sighed. "Just when I didn't give a damn, too; but I'll tell you about