"No, sir; I did not," I replied, with becoming promptness after the threat he had used.
"What's your great news, then?" demanded he.
"Do you know what two steamers went up the river about two or three hours ago?" I asked.
"Certainly I do—the River Queen No. 4 and the Centurion. They passed me this morning. But what's your news, boy?"
"The Centurion blew up about seven o'clock, as she was going into the Ohio River."
"The Centurion!" exclaimed he.
"Yes, sir."
"Is that so, or are you making up this story?"
"It is true, sir. I saved a young lady who was a passenger. I left her below this village, and I want to go up and find out whether her mother was lost, or not."
"What is her name?"