“Well, that’s infernal mean. Odd, too. Say, boy, what’s the matter with your father?”

“It’s the⁠—a⁠—the⁠—well, it ain’t anything much.”

They stopped pulling. It warn’t but a mighty little ways to 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 headline, you won’t have to come anear 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?”