Part 56 (1/2)

”No”

”I do I'm as dry as sawdus' S'pose we're nearly there, but I can't touch bottohts of the boat farther off than ever, and the shi+ptired, Jeo on for about another week Are you?”

”My clothes seem so heavy Can you see the shore?”

”I can see the beach right afore us, but can't tell how nigh it is

Never reat noosance at a ti, and slow as you can”

”That's what I', Jem, but--do you think it's much further?”

”Now, lookye here, Mas' Don; if ever there was a good-teets talking like that, you aggravates rily, and with unwonted excitement in his manner

”Is it much furder, indeed? Why, of course it arn't Swim steady, and wait”

Je hi the distant shore; and as he did so a cold chill of dread--not on his own account--ran through him, for he felt that they were certainly no nearer shore than they were before

”Throw your left shoulder a little more forward, Mas' Don,” he said calmly; ”there's a p'int runs out here, I think, as'll make the journey shorter”

Don obeyed in silence, and they swa his eyes upon his companion, as now deeper in the water

”Jem,” said Don, suddenly

”Yes, Mas' Don Take it coolly,close there

Oh, what a lie!” he added to hi him

”Jem”

”Ay, ay, Mas' Don”

”If you escape--”

”If I escape!” whispered Je like that? Escape, indeed! Why, I feel as if I could live in the water, if I had plenty to eat and drink”

”Listen to me,” said Don, hoarsely ”If you escape, tell my mother I always loved her, even when I was obstinate Tell her we didn't run away, and that--that I didn't take that money, Jem You'll tell her that?”