"Keep quiet, Beeb, there's a dear soul! Never a 'gator'll get near you. W'y, look 'ow calm Miss Peggy is. It be'ant much as'll frighten she."
Burly Bill could speak good English when he took time, but invariably reverted to Berkshire when in the least degree excited.
He was soon on board the little steamer.
"What cheer, Jake?" he said.
"Not much o' that. A deuced unlucky business. May lose the whole voyage if it comes on to blow!"
"W'y, Jake, lad, let's 'ope for the best. No use givin' up; be there? I wouldn't let the men go to prayers yet awhile, Jake. Not to make a bizness on't like, I means."
Well, the night wore away, but the raft never budged, unless it was to get a firmer hold of the mud and sand.
A low wind had sprung up too, and if it increased to a gale she would soon begin to break up.
It was a dreary night and a long one, and few on board the steamer slept a wink.
But day broke at last, and the sun's crimson light changed the ripples on the river from leaden gray to dazzling ruby.