"There! We're just blowing for Low Water now. Let's go on deck and see Sis land. Up to visit her ma, I reckon."
"Rankin's son is going to marry her, I suppose?"
"Married, man! Year ago, last Christmas. They live as cozy as you please down in Natchez. He's cashier of that bank now."
We stood by the rail as the boat made fast. The young lady tripped lightly ashore and greeted a white-haired old lady.
The Hester Hale resumed her way.
"Step this way. I'll show you where 'Ready' was killed."
We strolled to the gangway. He pointed to a little bullet hole in the casement.
"There were three shots fired. 'Ready' fired one and I—"
I looked up quickly into his patriarchal face. He paled, and fixed his eyes on me.
"I didn't mean to say so much, friend; but I believe you are a square man. This spot has a fascination for me. And it is twenty years ago, twenty—years—ago."