ttle burnt like fire, but brought me new
strength, so that, with Mapes' help, I got to my feet, and stared about
at the group of faces surrounding us. They were those of typical river
men, two negroes and three whites, ragged, dirty, and disreputable.
Mapes was so bushily bearded, that about all I could perceive of his
face was the eyes, yet these were intelligent, and I instantly picked
him out as being the mate.

"How long yer all bin roostin' on thet snag?" he questioned, evidently
somewhat amused. "Dem me, stranger, if I ever see thet sorter thing
done afore."

"I was caught there last night," I answered, unwilling to say more,
"Boat got snagged in the dark, and went down."

"Live round yere, I reckon?"

"No; just floating. Came down the Illinois. Where is this steamer
bound?"

"Hell alone knows," dryly. "Yeller Banks furst, enyhow; we're loaded
with supplies."

"Supplies! For Yellow Banks?" in surprise. "Why; what's going on
there? My friend, there aren't ten families within a hundred miles of
that place."

Mapes laughed, his mouth opening like a red gash, exhibiting a row of
yellow fangs.

"No, I reckon not; but thar's a hell ov a lot o' fellers thar whut
ain't families, but kin eat. Didn't yer know, pardner, thar's a right
smart war on? thet the Illinoy militia is called out, an' is a marchin'
now fer Yeller Banks? They're liable fer ter be thar too afore ever
this damn scow makes it, if we hav' ter stop an' pick eny mor' blame
fools outer the river. Come on, let's go up."

"Wait a minute. This is an Indian war? Black Hawk has broken loose?"

"Sure; raised perticular hell. We heerd down et Saint Louee he'd
killed 'bout a hundred whites, an' burned sum ov 'em--ther ol' devil."

"And where is he now?"

"Dunno; never wus up in yer afore. We bin runnin' 'tween Saint Louee
an' New Orleans, 'till the Gov'ment took us. Maybe the captain kin
tell yer--sumwhar up Rock River, I reckon, wharever that is."

We climbed the steep steps to the upper deck, and were met at the head
of the ladder by the captain, evidently desirous of looking me over.
He was a solidly-built individual, wearing white side-whiskers, and a
bulbous nose, and confronted me not altogether pleasantly.

"All right, are you? Water pretty cold yet, I reckon. Been sticking
on that snag for long?"

"Several hours; but my boat was wrecked before we lodged there."

The captain laughed, and winked aside at the mate.

"Seem