"Now, Sim, bring on your slabs, ten feet long," said I, as I took my hatchet and nails.
"I'll fetch 'em as fast as you can nail 'em on," replied my willing assistant.
"Take this pole as a measure, and cut them off the right length. You can try your axe now," I added, throwing him a stick I had cut the width of the raft.
He kept me well supplied with materials, until I had covered the logs with slabs, nailing them down to each stick. By this time I had used up all my nails, and it was nearly the supper hour. I did not like to leave the work in which I was so much interested, but I had to go for the mail; and I wished to do so on the present occasion, in order to make some purchases in Riverport for the enterprise.
"I must go now, Sim," I said to my fellow-laborer.
"Hookie! You ain't a-goin' to stop work so soon--are you?" demanded he, with an aggrieved look.
"You may cut up those small logs into pieces ten feet in length. They are to be placed crosswise on the raft, to keep us well up out of the water."
"I'll do it; and I'll have 'em all ready when you come down in the morning."
"Where are you going to sleep to-night, Sim?" I asked.
"I don't know--in somebody's barn," replied he with a grin, which made me feel that his lodging did not disturb him.
"You can sleep in our barn, if you like. No one goes into it very often, except myself."
"Thank ye, Buck. I always knowed you'd help me, and that was what I wanted to see you for."
"Plenty, Buck. I couldn't eat all you gave me this forenoon."
"I will bring you a good supply in the morning."
I left him, and hastened back to the house. My tyrants had been so busy in entertaining their distinguished guest that they probably had not thought of me. The squire was in the parlor with Mrs. Fishley, who was as lovely as a summer day. She had company, and I was safe enough as long as the senator remained. My woes would come as soon as he departed; but I hoped to have the raft ready for a movement by that time.
Supper was not on the table, and I went into the store to see if the mail was ready. Mr. Barkspear was there, engaged in telling Captain Fishley that his good-for-nothing "help" had run away and left him.
"Hev you seen anything of Sim Gwynn?" said Mr. Barkspear, turning to me as I entered the store.