trembling with the exertion and excitement.

When he had rested awhile, he stood up on the limb and looked toward the
land. There, to his joy, he saw, at a little distance, a small log-house,
and there was some one living in it, for he saw smoke coming from the
log and mud chimney that was built up against one end of the cabin.

Harry gave a great shout, and then another, and another, and presently a
negro woman came out of the cabin and looked out over the creek. Then
three colored children came tumbling out, and they looked out over the
creek.

Then Harry shouted again, and the woman saw him.

"Hello, dar!" she cried. "Who's dat?"

"It's me! Harry Loudon."

"Harry Loudon?" shouted the woman, running down to the edge of the
water. "Mah'sr John Loudon's son Harry? What you doin' dar? Is you
fishin'?"

"Fishing!" cried Harry. "No! I want to get ashore. Have you a boat?"

"A boat! Lors a massy! I got no boat, Mah'sr Harry. How did ye git dar?"

"Oh, I got adrift, and my boat's gone! Isn't there any man about?"

"No man about here," said the woman. "My ole man's gone off to de
railroad. But he'll be back dis evenin'."