“Well did!” Smash applauded, as he leaped into the canoe and paddled to shore with the line. “You ack like you been runnin’ steamboats all yo’ life!”
When the men stood once more upon the ground they shook hands all around and were perfectly happy.
“Now, fellers,” Skeeter said, “I motions dat we goes back to Tickfall in de auto, gits us a lot of grub an’ fixin’s, an’ come right back to de boat fer a long ride.”
“Ef you’s plannin’ to take a long ride, fellers, mebbe I could do you a las’ kind favor by tightenin’ up all de machinery,” Pipe Smash said. “I got a little time yit.”
“De Lawd bless you, my brudder!” Vinegar Atts howled. “Dat would shore be a Christyum ack.”
“Be shore an’ watch dat little bolt back behime de steam-gage, cullud folks,” Smash grinned. “De jumpin’ of de steam loosens up dat bolt mo’ dan any.”
“You go on an’ tight her up, brudder!” Vinegar urged. “Put yo’ muscle to it right!”
“Good-bye, niggers!” Pipe Smash howled. “You won’t see me when you come back. I hopes you’ll like de boat an’ hab good luck!”
As Pipe climbed on the boat the automobile roared the departure of the happy quartet.