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But Mr. Presby continued to do a great many kind deeds for "Possifus," which were duly appreciated. When Dan was twenty-one, he and Cyd had saved a considerable sum of money; and the Isabel having become rather shaky from old age, they proposed to procure another boat, and establish themselves at the city. With the aid of Mr. Presby, they built a yacht of forty tons, which was called the "Lily."
"De wind's clean gone," said Cyd, as the heavy sails of the Isabel began to flap idly in the brails. "Cyd, you must fight!" added Dan, earnestly. "Possifus!" exclaimed Cyd, rising and seizing a boat-hook that lay on the quarter. "Dis chile will fight, for sartin." "Good, Cyd! You are a brave fellow! You deserve to be free, and you shall be." "Hossifus!
Dan and Cyd made a great deal of money in the Isabel during the remainder of the season, and when she was laid up for the winter, both of them went down to the city and worked in a hotel; but they much preferred a life on the water. In the spring they resumed their business as boatmen, and for several years continued to thrive at this occupation. "See here, Possifus," said Mr.
"I will pray for wind; I will pray with all my soul for a breeze, Dan, and our Father in heaven, who has so often heard my prayers will hear me again." "Stop a minute, Missy Lily; stop a minute," interposed Cyd, gazing earnestly down the lake; "needn't pray no more, Missy Lily; dare's a breeze coming up from de souf-east. Hossifus! de breeze am comin like a possum down a cotton tree! Possifus!
Presby, who never called Cyd by any other name; "don't you want to own a boat yourself?" "I does own one, sar," replied he. "De Isabel jus as much mine as Dan's." "I was going to set you up in business for yourself, Possifus." "No, sar, tank ye; can't leabe Dan, no how; he fotched dis chile out of de swamp, and I don't run no popposition to him." "That's right, Possifus; stick to your friends."
"I am willing to tell you what I did these things for, now that I have time to do so. But, Cyd, I will change places with you." "Possifus! What fur?" "You shall command the boat, and I will obey all your orders without asking a single question." "What, Cyd?" "Yes, Cyd," replied Dandy, earnestly. "Here, take the helm!" "Gossifus! I dunno whar you're gwine."
Just as the steamboat came within hailing distance of the Isabel, a couple of brant fortunately flew over, and Dan fired. His practice in the swamp had made him a very good marksman, and he was so lucky as to bring down one of the birds. Cyd, as before instructed, pulled with all his might to the spot where the game had fallen. "Possifus!" shouted he; "massa fotch dat bird down, for shore!"
"They are not here; there is no danger," replied Dan, calmly, as he continued to rub the temples of Lily. "Possifus! Wha wha what's de matter wid Missy Lily?" cried he, as soon as he saw the insensible form of the maiden. "Bring me a pitcher of water, Cyd." "Is she dead?" gasped the poor fellow, as he obtained a better view of the pale face of Lily. "No, no; bring me the water quick."
"Dis chile ain't a coward," answered Cyd, rising from his seat. "Sit down, and mind your helm then!" "Give me de gun, and I'll show you Cyd ain't no coward, no how." "You never fired a gun in your life. You would be more likely to shoot yourself than any body else. Mind your helm; that's all we want of you." "Possifus!
We can't stand this long," said Dan, as he threw the Isabel up into the wind. "Possifus!" yelled Cyd, above the howling of the tempest. "We all go to de bottom, for sartin." "No, we won't; stand by, and work lively. Let go the peak halyards," replied he, as he cast off the throat halyards, on the other side. "Haul down the sail as fast as you can, Quin."
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