“Yes,” she admitted.
“I wonder you wouldn’t be scairt up of it—nights, and those lonesome bends?”
“It’s better than some other things.” Nelia shook her head. “Besides, you’ve come alone down the Ohio yourself.”
He looked at her, and Mrs. Caope chuckled.
“But—but you’re a woman!” Rasba exclaimed.
“Suppose a mean man came aboard your boat, and—and tried to rob you,” Nelia asked, level voiced, “what would you do?” 74
“Why, course, I’d—I’d likely stop him.”
“You’d throw him overboard?”
“Well—if hit were clost to the bank an’ he could swim, I mout.”
Nelia and the Caopes laughed aloud, and Rasba joined in the merriment. When the laughter had subsided, Rasba said: