"Hello, my friend," shouted Paul.
The man slowly turned and ramming both hands into his breeches' pockets, calmly eyed the figure in the water. As he was turning toward the cabin again, without a word, Boyton asked:
"How far is it to Lewisburg?"
"Its a putty good distance," slowly answered the man. "How far do you call that?" "I don't never call ut as I knows on."
"Look here, my good-"
"Ain't I a lukin?"
"Well, is Lewisburg one mile, five miles or a thousand miles from here?"
"I reckon its one o' them numbers."
Paul was beginning to feel out of humor, but realized that he was conversing with a lineal descendant of the "Arkansaw Traveler;" he determined to get some information. Pointing to an island just below, he again put a question:
"Which side of that island shall I take?"