The pilot-farmer disappears from the river annually, about the breaking of spring, and is seen no more till next frost.

Then he appears again, in damaged homespun, combs the hayseed out of his hair, and takes a pilot-house berth for the winter.

In this way he pays the debts which his farming has achieved during the agricultural season.

So his river bondage is but half broken; he is still the river's slave the hardest half of the year.
One of these men bought a farm, but did not retire to it.

He knew a trick worth two of that.