It's the on'y
way we has of getting money. Twict a yeah a boat creeps up the river
from the gulf and we loads the stacks o' shingles on her. More'n a few
times it been a tug that kim arter the cypress bunches. Onct I went
down on a boat; and dad he took me tuh Pensacola. That's sure been the
on'y time I ever was in a city. I got two books thar."

He said this last as though it might have been the most important part
of his visit to civilization; and Phil smiled as he watched the varying
emotions on the eager face of the swamp boy whom he only knew as Tony.

Then, as though he might have some reason for so doing, Phil once more
returned to the subject that seemed to be of prime importance in his
sight.

"Now about this big McGee," he remarked; "is he such a terrible fellow,
of whom even his own family keeps in terror?"

"That's what every one says, sah," returned the boy, quickly; "but
'taint right tuh jedge a man by what his enemies tells. McGee is a big
man, a giant; he's strong as an ox; and his people they looks up tuh
him right smart. He's knocked a man down more'n once, with a blow from
his fist; but 'twas when he needed a lesson. The McGee has a heart,
sah, I give yuh my word on that. He keers a heap foh his wife and his
chillen."

"Oh! then he has a wife and children?" remarked Phil, "and he thinks
considerable of them, does he? Perhaps, after all, he may be more
sinned against than sinning. You know of your own account that he
cares for these children, do you?"

"Sure I do," replied the other, eagerly, and for the moment forgetting
his caution. "I tell yuh, sah, that if it hadn't been foh all o' the
lot that wrastled with him, he would a-come up hisself with the little
gal, 'stead o' lettin' me do that same."

"Oh! you mean with Madge, your sister Madge?" cried Phil.

The boy nodded his head, a little sullenly, as though realizing what a
mess he had made of the secret he had thought to keep a while longer,
at least.

"But why should the terrible McGee bother his head about you and
Madge?" Phil demanded, smiling in Tony's face.

Thereupon the swamp boy drew himself up proudly, as though he were
about to announce himself the descendant of a race of kings, while he
replied:

"Because, sah, the McGee is Madge's dad, an' mine! I'm Tony McGee!"

CHAPTER IV

DOWN THE SWIFT CURRENT

Evidently Phil was not so very much surprised after all, at this
formidable announcement on the part