ut Nic, ending by planting his
great paws upon the poor fellow's chest, licking his face two or three
times, and then throwing up his muzzle to utter a deep-toned, dismal
howl, in which the others joined.

"Say, um bofe dead," groaned the big smith. "Pull, boy; all pull you
bess, and get back to the massa. Oh, lorimee! lorimee! what massa will
say along wi' dat whip, all acause we drown two good men, and couldn't
help it a bit. Oh, pull, pull, pull! Shub de boat along. What will
massa say?"

CHAPTER TWENTY.

FISHING FOR MEN.

Those with the boat had been too much occupied in their own adventure to
heed what had taken place at the landing-stage; and, even had they
glanced in that direction, the distance the swift tide had carried them
up-stream would have made every movement indistinct.

But busy moments had passed there, for the overseer was a man of action,
and prompt to take measures toward saving the life of the drowning man.
For a human life was valuable in those early days of the American
colonies, especially the life of a strong, healthy slave who could work
in the broiling sunshine to win the harvest of the rich, fertile soil.

So, as the boat drifted away, he gave his orders sharply, and the black
slaves, who had stood helplessly staring, rushed to the help of their
companion, who was hanging by the boat-hook, half in the water, afraid
to stir lest the iron should give way and the tide carry him off to
where, as he well knew, there were dangers which made his lips turn grey
with dread.

The help came just as the poor fellow was ready to lose his hold and
slip back into the river, and in another minute he was shivering on the
stage.

"Take hold of that boat-hook," cried the overseer, speaking with his
eyes fixed upon one spot, where the water ran eddying and forming tiny
whirlpools, and not daring to look round for fear of losing sight of the
place where it seemed to him that his white slave had gone down like a
stone; and this had kept him from giving much heed to the proceedings in
the boat.

One of the men seized the pole and waited for the next order.

"He went down there," cried the overseer, pointing. "Sound with the
pole, and try how deep it is."

The man obeyed, the pole touching the muddy bottom about four feet below
the surface.

"That's right; jump in," cried Saunders.

The man started, and then remained motionless, gazing piteously at his
companions.

"Do you hear? Quick