"What did that feller say?" he asked, looking half ashamed at asking the question.
"He said there was a man named Drake who wanted to see you. What makes you look so scared, Jim; I hope you don't owe him anything."
"Wal, by the eternal, that gits my time. Ef that man's alive, then I'll swear that men don't die now-a-days unless they want to."
"Why, what's up now?" asked Dingle.
"Don't you remember that name?" asked Peterson, turning towards our hero.
"I was just thinking I had heard it somewhere."
"Wal, sir, he was on the flat-boat with me when all was killed 'cepting me. Yes, sir."
Peterson shook his head meaningly and slapped his hand upon his knee as he uttered these words:
"Like enough it's him," said Dingle, "Freeze me to death, if you can tell what's goin' to happen now-a-days."
"It may be a decoy of McGable," added the commander. "It is unnecessary to caution you, Peterson. Nevertheless, I will accompany you."