As the individual came closer and was more plainly shown in the dim moonlight, he was seen to be a sturdy man in middle life, dressed much the same as Mr. Ashbridge and Altman—that is, with more regard for the fashions of the age than was shown by men like Boone and Kenton.
"Good evening," he called, nodding his head in salutation; "may I come aboard?"
"Who am yo'? Am yo' name Girty?" asked Jethro, in doubt whether to permit the man to join him, now that his canoe was near enough to permit him to do so. His appearance was pleasing, and his voice had a hearty ring about it, but the African, since he was master of the situation, felt he could not be too careful of his company.
The stranger laughed at the question asked him, and replied:
"Bless me, that's the first time I was ever taken for Mr. Girty. You seem to be alone on the boat."
Jethro suspected this to be a trick meant to make him unmask his weakness. He was not to be caught that way.
"No, sah! dar's whar yo's mistooken, sah. Dan'l Kenton and Simon Boone, and 'leven oder gemman am in dis boat wid me, and if yo'——"
"Tut, tut," interrupted the stranger, with another laugh, so genial in its character that it disarmed the youth.
"'Scoose me; I meant to say dat dem folks would like to be wid me."
"My son, you and I are the best of friends; you surely have no misgiving regarding me; my name is Finley."