He offered to lick any gentleman who felt aggrieved by his previous remarks, for fifty cents, for a drink of whisky, for a chew of tobacco, for nothing--with one hand tied behind him! He sprang aloft, cracked his heels together as before and crowed insultingly; then he subsided into silence.

An instant later he appeared stung by the acutest pangs of remorse.

In a cringing tone he begged Polly to forgive him for bringing her to such a place.

He bewailed that they had risked pollution by allowing any inhabitant of that region to set foot on the raft--he feared for the innocent minds of their children, and he implored her pardon.

Perhaps it was better that they should cast off at once--unless one of the gentlemen on shore felt himself insulted, in which event he would remain to fight.
Then as he slowly worked the raft out toward the middle of the stream, he repeated all his former remarks, punctuating them with frequent whoops.