disadvantage. Convinced
that we would decide to make use of the rowboat, which he had left
uninjured for that very purpose, and that we would venture forth just
so soon as the night became dark enough, he had hidden the stolen craft
in some covert along shore, to await our coming. Then he sprang on us,
as the tiger leaps on his prey. He had calculated well, for the blunt
prow of the speeding keel-boat had struck us squarely, crushing in the
sides of our frail craft, and flinging me headlong.

What had become the fate of the others I could not for the moment
determine. I could see little, with eyes scarcely above the surface,
and struggling hard to breast the sweep of the current. The darkness
shadowed everything, the bulk of the keel-boat alone appearing in the
distance, and that, shapelessly outlined. The craft bore no light, and
had it not been for a voice speaking, I doubt if I could have located
even that. The rowboat could not be distinguished--it must have
sunken, or else drifted away, a helpless wreck. The first sound my
ears caught, echoing across the water, was an oath, and a question, "By
God! a good job; do you see that fellow anywhere?"

"Naw," the response a mere growl. "He's a goner, I reckon; never
knowed whut hit him, jedgin' frum the way he upended it."

"Well, then he isn't likely to bother us any more. Suppose he was the
white man?"

"Sure he wus; it wus the nigger who was up ahead. We hit him, an' he
dropped in 'tween ther boats, an' went down like a stone. He never
yeeped but just onct, when I furst gripped ther girl. I don't reckon
as she wus hurt et all; leastwise I never aimed fer ter hurt her none."

"Has she said anything?"

"Not a damned twitter; maybe she's fainted. I dunno, but that's ther
way females do. What shall I do with the bird, Kirby?"

"Oh, hold on to her there awhile, long as she's quiet. I'm going to
try the steam again, and get outside into the big river. Hell, man,
but this hasn't been such a bad night's work. Now if we only make it
to St. Louis, we'll have the laugh on Donaldson."

"I reckon he won't laugh much," with a chuckle. "It's cost him a
valuable nigger."

"You mean Sam? Yes, that's so. But I'd like to know who that other
fellow was--the white one."

"Him! oh, sum abolitionist likely; maybe one o' ol' Shrunk's gang.
It's a damn good thing fer this kintry we got him, an' I ain't worryin'
none 'bount any nigger-stealer. The boat must 'er