r best to get others into trouble."

"That fellow with the long nose got out of sight in a hurry when he
saw the shotgun," observed Tom.

"Oh, Tom, you wouldn't have shot him, would you?" cried Nellie.

"I only meant to scare him. But, if they had really run us down, I
don't know what I would have done."

It was not long after this that the lumber raft passed entirely out
of their sight. Gradually the talk changed, and all began to wonder
where they were to tie up for the night.

"I did hope to reach Masterville," said Captain Starr. "But I don't
think we can make it."

"Do we need anything in particular in the shape of provisions?" asked
Dick.

"I don't think so. You might ask Aleck."

The person referred to was a colored man who was in the employ of
the Rovers, and had been with the boys on many of their outings. His
full name was Alexander Pop, and he thought the world and all of
Dick, Tom and Sam.

"Hullo, Aleck!" called out Dick, going to the cook's galley.

"Yes, sah! Comin', sah!" was the answer, and in an instant Aleck's
smiling ebony face showed itself at the doorway.

"Have we got enough provisions on hand until to-morrow?"

"Yes, sah."

"Then we won't have to go ashore for anything?"

"No, sah; less yo' want sumfing very special," and the colored man
grinned.

"Are you going to give us a pretty good supper, Aleck?" asked Tom,
walking up.

"Lamb chops, sah, an' green peas, sweet potatoes, an' cake an' cut-up
peaches."

"That's first-rate, Aleck," said Dick, smiling.

"Any quail on toast?" asked Tom.

"No, sah."

"Any bear steaks, or salmon eggs?"

"Ain't seen none ob dem t'ings yet, Massa Tom."

"How about butterflies' wings on toast?"

"Wha--what's dat?"

"Or milkweed stewed in onion fat?" went on Tom earnestly.

"Gracious sakes alive, sah! I didn't know dat--"

"Or firefly fritters, Aleck. Don't you love fire-fly fritters,
especially when they are rolled in lemon skin and cheese?"

"Say, Massa Tom, ain't you a-foolin' dis darkey?"

"Fooling? Why, Aleck, you know I never fool." Tom gave a sigh. "That's
the way of the world, when a fellow is trying to do his best." And
he walked off, leaving the faithful Aleck staring after him doubtfully.
But soon the colored man began to smile to himself.

"Dat's some moah ob his jokes, dat's what dat is," he murmured. "Dat
boy couldn't lib, 'less he was playin' a joke on sumbody!"

The houseboat had now gained a portion of the river