um. You makes me cold lookin' at you."

The Mud Turtle's jaws started on another chattering ruckus.

"Dere you goes agin! Now you cain't talk. Whilst you'se dumb I'se a
mind to use some cuss words on you what ol' Cap'n Jack learned me. Sho'
would use 'em, 'ceptin' dey'd burn you to a cinder. Stay here whilst I
'vestigates an' sees kin I 'cumulate some stove juice to heat you up
wid."

The Wildcat walked ahead through the train. He sought strong drink from
every porter he encountered, but his search was unsuccessful until he
came to the dining car.

"Whah at you think you is? Heavin? Cuba? Ain't nuthin' to drink on dis
car." A burly chef answered the Wildcat's inquiry.

"Dey's a cold boy back dere. Fell in de river an' stood out in de night
rain in Poteland. Can't git near him for' chips o' teeth flyin' through
de air. When he gits to shiverin' good he looks like him an' two twin
brothehs."

"White boy?" The chef ventured a casual inquiry.

"Is I said white boy? White boy packs it wid 'em. It's mah ol' Mud
Turtle podneh what craves de gin."

"'At's diff'unt." The chef grunted and got up from the poker game which
was raging. "Come wid me." He led the Wildcat into the kitchen of the
car. From one of the cupboards against the partition he lifted a pint
bottle full of a light yellow fluid. He poured some of this into a
smaller bottle. Out of another bottle containing a brown aromatic
liquid he filled the third bottle. He shook the smaller bottle until
the two liquids in it were mixed. He handed the bottle to the Wildcat.
"Give dat boy dis."

"Sho' will. What's de name o' dis licker?"

"Ain't got no public name. Us boys calls it 'hoof oil.' It kicks--some.
Better tie 'at boy's hind laigs does he take mo'n two drinks."

"What's de 'mgredients?"

"Dat's a church secret. Don't ask me no questions. 'At's five dollahs."

"Five dollahs! What you mean church secret?"

"I'se a hooch rabbi, off de run. I leads a Oakland ginagogue. I said
five dollahs. How you spec' us rabbis gwine to thrive, 'ceptin' by
takin' up de collection now an' den when we issues dis here rabbi
juice?"

"How come dat rabbi name?"

The chef looked at him. "You sho' is a' ignorant niggah. Ain't you met
up wid no rabbis yet?"

"Cain't say I is. What is dey?"

In the chef's gaze was an expression of contempt. "Boy, when you sees
me you sees a rabbi. I works at de rabbi business between trips. De
rabbi lodge was o'ganized wid all de culled ba