Part 23 (1/2)

”But you may kill him,” added Dan.

”Kill him! Don't you see he's growin better all de time? Dar; dat'll do,” replied Quin, as he carried the bucket to the forecastle.

”Wha--wha--what's the matter?” demanded Cyd.

”Do you feel better, Cyd?” asked Dan, tenderly, as he permitted the patient to roll over into the standing room.

”Yes, sar!

'I's born way down 'pon de Mississip; I's crossed de riber on a cotton-wood chip,'”

roared Cyd, trying to sing a familiar song.

”Why, he is crazy!” exclaimed Lily.

”Yes, missy, he's crazy; but he soon git ober it,” answered Quin, laughing.

”Why do you laugh, Quin? You don't seem to be at all concerned about him,” added Lily.

”Bad fit, missy!”

”What ails him?”

”Bad fit, missy; my ole ma.s.sa use to hab lots ob dem fits,” chuckled Quin.

”But what kind of a fit is it, Quin?”

”Notin, missy, only Cyd done drink too much whiskey, and get drunk--dat's all.”

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE AFFRAY ON THE LAKE

Even Lily laughed when she realized that her friend Cyd was in no danger of dying in the bad fit which had attacked him; she laughed at his strange actions and his silly expressions; they all laughed for a time, but there was something very serious in the occasion. The patient was taken down into the cabin, and put to bed in his bunk.

When he was asleep again, and the rest of the party had returned to the deck, the serious part of the affair came up for consideration; and the meeting was so solemn and momentous that even the good luck of the two sportsmen was forgotten, and the game and fish were allowed to remain unnoticed in the bateau. To Dan and Lily it was a terrible thing for a boy like Cyd to get drunk. It was very funny, but it was awfully serious in view of future consequences.

Several bottles of wine and liquor had been deposited in the lockers under the seats in the standing room, and Cyd had helped himself as he sat there alone. This was the key to his mysterious sickness; and while his companions congratulated themselves upon Cyd's expected recovery, it was deemed prudent to place all the intoxicating beverages on board in a secure place. A locker in Lily's cabin was selected for this purpose, and it was soon out of Cyd's reach.

Dan wanted to throw all the liquor overboard, except a couple of bottles to be used as medicine; but Quin thought that some use might be made of it at a future time. There was no one on board, except Cyd, who would drink it; and he had imbibed rather as a frolic than because he had any taste for the fiery article.

The patient slept all the rest of the day and all the following night.

The next morning he was afflicted with a terrible headache, and was so stupid that he was good for nothing. He was severely reprimanded for his folly, and made a solemn promise never to partake again; and as the dangerous fluid was all locked up, and the key in Lily's possession, it was believed that he would not violate his obligation.

Roast ducks and geese, and fried fish, were the food of the party for several days to come; and the change from salt provision was very agreeable. About once a week Dan and Quin repeated the excursion to the lake, and almost always returned with a plentiful supply of fish and game. The fugitives lived well, especially as pigeons, partridges, and an occasional wild turkey graced their table. A roast c.o.o.n was not an unusual luxury; for by extending their hunting-grounds in various directions, they added very much to the variety of their larder.

The small stores, such as b.u.t.ter, salt, sugar, coffee, and tea, were exhausted in the fall, though they had been very carefully expended.