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"Groundhog," said Si resolutely, "you're not goin' back to camp; you're not goin' to wait till it stops rainin'. You're goin' right over now, as sure as my name's Si Klegg, or I'll break every bone in your karkiss." "I can't go over," persisted Groundhog. "I ain't no fool.
"Stay here!" exclaimed the sailor, who no longer spoke in whispers, since such would no longer avail. "Anything but that. Quick, Snowy, quick, Will'm! Back down to the deck o' our craft. Let's make all speed, and cast off from the karkiss o' the whale. There be time enough yet; and then it'll be, who's got the heels. Don't be so bad skeeart, Snowy. The ole Catamaran be a trim craft.
"Doan care a dam fo' neyder," responded the ex-cook. "I'se soon show ye, Mass' Brace, how we find vessel, big 'nuff to hold all de oil in de karkiss ob de ole cashlot, as you call him." "Explain, nigger, explain!" "Sartin I do. Gib me dat axe. I soon 'splain de whole sarkumstance." Ben passed the axe, which he had been holding, into the hands of the Coromantee.
"A sword-fish!" cried Ben. The rostrum of one of these singular creatures was the sharp bone protruding above the plank. "You're right, Snowy, it be a sword-fish, and nothing else." "Only de snout o' one," jocularly rejoined the negro. "De karkiss ob de anymal an't dar any more. Dat was de black body I seed under de raff; but he an't dar now.
Only for a few seconds did he remain in this attitude; and then, as if suddenly satisfied with the examination, he rose from his stooping posture, exclaiming as he stood erect: "Good, by thunder! The old horse hain't been dead 'bove a kupple o' hours. Look thar, stranger! the blood ain't froze? I kin a'most fancy thar's heat in his old karkiss yet!" "You are sure he has been killed this morning?"
Then it narrowed to a stony path, where one had enough to do with slow going to take care of his head, there were so many boughs in the way. "Jerushy Jane!" exclaimed D'ri, as he slowed down. "Thet air's a gran' place. Never hed my karkiss in no sech bed as they gin me las' night softer 'n wind, an' hed springs on like them new wagins ye see over 'n Vermont. Jerushy! Dreamed I was flyin'."
"Indeed you did," said Shorty earnestly. "You ought to have a brevet for your 'conspicuous gallantry in action. I think the Colonel will give you one. You put an ounce o' lead to particularly good use in that feller's karkiss. I only wish it'd bin a little higher up, where it'd a measured him for a wooden overcoat." "I'm awful glad I hit him jest where I did," responded the Deacon.
Ef you go unner hyar in the middle o' this sage-brush, Walt Wilder air goin' to wrap his karkiss in a corner o' the same windin' sheet. There ain't much strength remainin' in my arms now, but enuf, I reck'n, to keep them buzzarts off for a good spell yit. They don't pick our bones till I've thinned thar count anyhow.
I expected to see that point of steel shoot, with a quick stab, into the scarlet blouse before me. "Shoot 'n' be damned!" said D'ri. "'Fore I die ye'll hev a hole er tew 'n thet air karkiss o' yourn. Sha'n't give up no weepon till ye've gin me yer word ye 'll let thet air woman alone." I expected a volley then. A very serious look came over the face of the captain.
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