“Well, get the engines together!” ordered the giant.
“There are parts missing,” Clay answered. “One of the boys has gone to New Madrid for repairs. She won’t run a foot without them.”
Sam and the giant conversed together for a moment, and then the former called out to Mose, emphasizing his words with a threatening gesture:
“Here, coon!” he shouted. “Can you swim?”
“Ah sho’ can,” was the reply.
“Then jump ashore and take this dog with you. If I ever see either of you again I’ll take your hides off!”
“It would improve matters to hold ’em under a while!” he added, angrily.
“I won’t have it,” the giant returned. “No murder for me!”
“You’ll see what’ll come of lettin’ ’em go!” Sam warned.
“Git!” ordered the big fellow, in a not unkind tone, and Mose, nothing loth, gathered the dog in his arms and leaped into the bayou.