great peril I was in, required but a single thought for him
to know what to do. Being a good swimmer he boldly plunged into the
water, reached the boat and swimming towed it to the shore. Had he not
returned in time, our fate could not have been told. We would have
been capsized in the Lake and drowned, or have drifted ashore to be
devoured by bears and other wild animals, or stung to death by the
venomous reptiles that hung in clusters on trees around the shores of
the Lake. This accident put an end to fishing for that day. My father
was wet, and not having a change of clothing with him, proceeded to
the camp, so that he could dry. We soon arrived at Jack's Landing, and
on reaching the camp found Mr. Woodward, who remarked: "What is the
matter, Neddie? Did a big fish pull you overboard?" He saw that my
father was wet, and ordered a fire to be made, so that he could dry
his clothes. A hot fire was soon made of juniper logs, and he was not
long in drying.

Feeling no inconvenience from his ablution, and drinking a cup of hot
coffee, he related the circumstances as detailed above. "Well,
Neddie;" said Mr. W., "you should at once return thanks to the Giver
of all Good for this miraculous escape." The pious Mr. Woodward joined
with him. It was now nearly dark, and preparations were made to have
supper. When at the Lake it is expected that you will catch fish
enough upon which to subsist, and my father being a good hand at
angling, always had a good supply, and no one on the trip wanted for
fish. The supper, which consisted of fish, bread and hot coffee, was
soon ready. About this time Tony and Jim, who had been loading their
skiff at the landing, returned to the camp, and taking their seats at
the ends of some juniper logs, were soon fast asleep. We ate our
supper and were then ready for any kind of story that was told.

CHAPTER V.

THE VISIT OF TOM. MOORE, AS RELATED BY TONY.

As Uncle Tony was, perhaps, the oldest person, and knew more about the
Lake than any person then engaged at it, he was awakened, and Mr.
Woodward said: "Uncle Tony, I want you to tell us about the man whom
you said you brought to the Lake in 1821." "Who tole you 'bout dat
boss?" inquired Uncle Tony, with an air of conscious pride. "It will
make no difference, go on and tell us," returned Mr. Woodward. Tony
scratched his head, then putting some tobacco in his pipe, took out
his flint and steel (matches not being known in the swamp at that