It warn't but a mighty little waysto the raft, now. One says:
? ? ? ? "Boy, that's a lie. What is the matter with your pap? Answer up square, now, and it'll be the better for you."
? ? ? ? "I will, sir, I will, honest- but don't leave us, please. It's the- the- gentlemen, if you'll only pull ahead, and let me heave you the head-line, you won't have to come a-near the raft- please do."
? ? ? ? "Set her back, John, set her back!" says one. They backed water. "Keep away, boy- keep to looard. Confound it, I just expect the wind has blowed it to us. Your pap's got the smallpox, and you know it precious well. Why didn't you come out and say so? Do you want to spread it all over?"
? ? ? ? "Well," says I, a-blubbering, "I've told everybody before, and then they just went away and left us."
? ? ? ? "Poor devil, there's something in that. We are right down sorry for you, but we- well, hang it, we don't want the smallpox, you see. Look here, I'll tell you what to do. Don't you try to land by yourself, and you'll smash everything to pieces. You float along down about twenty miles and you'll come to a town on the left-hand side of the river.
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