ther clumsy in his
movements.

I cut one of the lines in two, and carefully secured the frame to the
trees on shore, using the other line to float the logs down to the
structure. There was only one other stick in the heap that was thirty
feet in length, and we pushed this under the cross slabs, and nailed it
half way between the two. For the rest of the groundwork of the raft we
were obliged to use shorter sticks; but we made a solid platform of
large logs.

"Now, Sim, bring on your slabs, ten feet long," said I, as I took my
hatchet and nails.

"I'll fetch 'em as fast as you can nail 'em on," replied my willing
assistant.

"Take this pole as a measure, and cut them off the right length. You
can try your axe now," I added, throwing him a stick I had cut the width
of the raft.

He kept me well supplied with materials, until I had covered the logs
with slabs, nailing them down to each stick. By this time I had used up
all my nails, and it was nearly the supper hour. I did not like to leave
the work in which I was so much interested, but I had to go for the
mail; and I wished to do so on the present occasion, in order to make
some purchases in Riverport for the enterprise.

"I must go now, Sim," I said to my fellow-laborer.

"Hookie! You ain't a-goin' to stop work so soon--are you?" demanded he,
with an aggrieved look.

"I must."

"But I want to do something more."

"You may cut up those small logs into pieces ten feet in length. They
are to be placed crosswise on the raft, to keep us well up out of the
water."

"I'll do it; and I'll have 'em all ready when you come down in the
morning."

"Where are you going to sleep to-night, Sim?" I asked.

"I don't know--in somebody's barn," replied he with a grin, which made
me feel that his lodging did not disturb him.

"You can sleep in our barn, if you like. No one goes into it very often,
except myself."

"Thank ye, Buck. I always knowed you'd help me, and that was what I
wanted to see you for."

"Have you anything left for supper?"

"Plenty, Buck. I couldn't eat all you gave me this forenoon."

"I will bring you a good supply in the morning."

I left him, and hastened back to the house. My tyrants had been so busy
in entertaining their distinguished guest that they probably had not
thought of me. The squire was in the parlor with Mrs. Fishley, who was
as lovely as a summer day. She had company, and I was safe enough as
long as the senator remained. My