ht. Pretty soon the engine began
chugging double, sort of, and I knew they were going around the corner
into Bridgeboro River, because there's a steep shore there, and it
makes an echo.

I was a chump not to realize what they were talking about, but they had
chugged around into Bridgeboro River and were heading upstream before it
popped into my thick head. And even then it was on account of something
else they said, as the chugging grew fainter all the time. It seemed as
if I heard it while I was dreaming, as you might say. I knew they were
pretty far upstream by now, but the voice was awful clear, like voices
always sound across the water, especially in the night.

"He was a nice little fellow," that's what I said, "but he had a right
to keep out of that place."

Then, all of a sudden, I knew. They were talking about me. They must
have been up that creek fishing and found that note of mine. And they
were going to tell my people as soon as they got home.

"Holler to them, fellows!" I said; "quick-all together."

I guess the fellows must have thought I was crazy, but they hollered
for all they were worth. But it was no use, for nobody answered. I
guess the wind must have been blowing our way or something--anyway, they
didn't pay any attention. Then pretty soon I couldn't hear the chugging
any more at all.

Oh, jiminies, but I felt bad. Maybe you think that as long as I escaped
and would get home all right I ought to be satisfied. But that's because
you don't know anything about my mother. When my brother died I saw how
she acted and the doctor said she had to stay in bed two or three days
on account of her heart being not just right. Maybe he thought it would
stop, I guess. And gee, I didn't want her to hear any bad news, even if
it wasn't true. 'Cause I knew just how she'd act--I could just see her,
sort of. I guess I was kind of thinking about it and how it would be
when Jake Holden went to the house, and how she'd have to wait five or
six hours, maybe till morning, before she saw me, when all of a sudden
I heard Will Dawson of my patrol say, "What's the matter, Blakey?"--he
always calls me Blakey. But I didn't pay any attention to him, because I
couldn't speak--exactly. I didn't seem to see any of the troop, I only
just saw my mother standing, maybe kind of unsteady like, and listening
to Jake Holden.

Then all of a sudden I walked straight over to where the Ravens were all
sitting on the cabin roof. And I spo