Sho! Co'se I know Ole Jim Crele, an' his woman. My name's Mrs. Tons. We
stopped in thah 'bout six weeks ago. I hearn say yo'd--yo'd married
right well!"

"Umph!" Nelia shrugged her shoulders, "Liquor spoils many a home!"

"Yo' maw said he was a drinkin' man, an' I said to myse'f, from my own
'sperience.... Yo' set inside yeah, Nelia. I'll go down theh an' talk
myse'f. We come near buyin' that bo't yistehd'y. Leave hit to me!"

Nelia sat down in the shanty-boat, and waited. She had not long to wait.
A tall, rather burly man returned with the woman, who introduced the
two;

"Mis' Crele, this is Frank Commer. His bo't's fo' sale, an' he'll take
$75 cash, for everything, ropes, anchor, stoves, a brass bedstead, an'
everything and I said hit's reasonable. Hit's a pine boat, built last
fall, and the hull's sound, with oak framing. Co'se, hit's small, 22
foot long an' 7 foot wide, but hit's cheap."

"I'll take it, then," Nelia nodded.

"You can come look it over," the man declared. "Tight hull and tight
roof. We built it ourselves. But we're sick of the river, and we'll sell
cheap, right here."

The three went down to the boat, and Nelia handed him seventy-five
dollars in bills. He and his partner, who came down from the town a few
minutes later, packed up their personal property in two trunks. They
left the dishes and other outfit, including several blankets.

The four talked as the two packed up. One of them suddenly looked
sharply at Nelia:

"You dropping down alone?"

She hesitated, and then laughed:

"Yes."

"It's none of my business," the man said, doubtfully, "but it's a mean
old river, some ways. A lady alone might get into trouble. River
pirates, you know."

It was a challenge. He was a clear-eyed, honest man, hardly twenty-five
years of age, and not an evil type at all. What he had to suggest he did
boldly, sure of his right at such a time, under such circumstances, to
do. He was entirely likeable. In spite of herself, Nelia wavered for a
moment. She knew river people; the woman by her side would have said she
would be safer with him than without his protection. There was only one
reason why Nelia could not accept that protection.

"I'll have to take care of myself," she shook her head, without rebuke
to the youth. "You see, I'm running away from a mean scoundrel."

"Hit's so," the river woman approved, and the men took their departure
without further comment.

The two women, disapproving the men