ems to be close by."

"She is close by."

"Isn't there some danger that we'll be run down?"

As those words were spoken, another yell, louder, shriller, and nearer
than before, burst upon their ears. It seemed to be close astern. The
beat of the paddles was also near them.

"Pooty close!" said the captain.

"Isn't there some danger that we'll be run down?"

To this question, thus anxiously repeated, the captain answered
slowly,--

"Wal, thar may be, an then again thar mayn't. Ef a man tries to dodge
every possible danger in life, he'll have a precious hard time of it.
Why, men air killed in walkin the streets, or knocked over by
sun-strokes, as well as run down at sea. So what air we to do? Do?
Why, I jest do what I've allus ben a doin; I jest keep right straight
on my own course, and mind my own biz. Ten chances to one they'll
never come nigh us. I've heard steamers howlin round me like all
possessed, but I've never ben run down yet, an I ain't goin to be at my
time o' life. I don't blieve you'll see a sign o' that thar steamer.
You'll only hear her yellin--that's all."

As he spoke another yell sounded.

"She's a passin us, over thar," said the captain, waving his hand over
the side. "Her whistle'll contenoo fainter till it stops. So you
better go below and take your sleep out."

The boys waited a little longer, and hearing the next whistle sounding
fainter, as Captain Corbet said, they followed his advice, and were
soon asleep, as before.

This time there was no further interruption, and they did not wake till
about eight in the morning, when they were summoned to breakfast by
Solomon.

On reaching the deck and looking around, a cry of joy went forth from
all. The fog was no longer to be seen, no longer did there extend
around them the wall of gloomy gray, shutting out all things with its
misty folds. No longer was the broad bay visible. They found
themselves now in a wide river, whose muddy waters bore them slowly
along. On one side was a shore, close by them, well wooded in some
places, and in others well cultivated, while on the other side was
another shore, equally fertile, extending far along.

"Here we air," cried Captain Corbet. "That wind served us well. We've
had a fust-rate run. I calc'lated we'd be three or four days, but
instead of that we've walked over in twenty-four hours. Good agin!"

"Will we be able to land at Moncton soon?"

"Wal, no; not till the next tide."