Another queer old chap tried to make the acquaintance of the uncouth and hairy monster.
"How is you?" said the old black man, bowing before the monstrous ape.
No answer.
"How is you?" Eph repeated, with another profound bow, and still no answer. Then, after a long pause, Eph exclaimed:
"You's right, ole man; keep yo' mouf shet or dey'll put a hoe in yo' hand and make yo' raise cotton."
The menagerie always fascinates me. Why, I'm just like a boy again when I get among the animals, and catch that well-remembered odor always connected with a show.
I've even dreamed about 'em, and strange as it may appear, they always seem to be passing before me in a great hurry, just as though on a wager.
As I say, I was kind of fascinated and thinking of boyhood's days and all that sort of thing, you know, when some one spotted me.
"By de great horn spoon, if dar ain't George Niblo!"