the part of the driver who, being a white man, considered
Hosmer's presence no hindrance, they let go the chain, and once again
pulled out. The crossing was even more difficult now, owing to the
extra weight of the wagon.

"I guess you earn your money, Nathan," said Hosmer bending and
quivering with the efforts he put forth.

"Yas, suh, I does; an' dis job's wuf mo' 'an I gits fu' it."

"All de same you done lef' off wurking crap sence you start it,"
mumbled Aunt Agnes.

"You gwine git hu't, woman; I done tole you dat; don' wan' listen,"
returned Nathan with halting breath.

"Who gwine hu't me?"

Whether from tardy gallantry or from pre-occupation with his arduous
work, Nathan offered no reply to this challenge, and his silence left
Aunt Agnes in possession of the field.

They were in full mid-stream. Hosmer and the teamster were in the fore
end of the boat; Nathan in the rear, and Aunt Agnes standing in the
center between the wagon and the protecting railing, against which she
leaned her clasped hands that still upheld the semblance of umbrella.

The ill-mated horses stood motionless, letting fall their dejected
heads with apathetic droop. The rain was dripping from their
glistening coats, and making a great patter as it fell upon the
tarpaulins covering the cotton bales.

Suddenly came an exclamation: "Gret God!" from Aunt Agnes, so genuine
in its amazement and dismay, that the three men with one accord looked
quickly up at her, then at the point on which her terrified gaze was
fixed. Almost on the instant of the woman's cry, was heard a shrill,
piercing, feminine scream.

What they saw was the section of land on which stood Marie Louise's
cabin, undermined--broken away from the main body and gradually
gliding into the water. It must have sunk with a first abrupt wrench,
for the brick chimney was shaken from its foundation, the smoke
issuing in dense clouds from its shattered sides, the house toppling
and the roof caving. For a moment Hosmer lost his senses. He could but
look, as if at some awful apparition that must soon pass from sight
and leave him again in possession of his reason. The leaning house was
half submerged when Fanny appeared at the door, like a figure in a
dream; seeming a natural part of the awfulness of it. He only gazed
on. The two negroes uttered loud lamentations.

"Pull with the current!" cried the teamster, first to regain his
presence of mind. It had needed but this, to awaken Ho