The rebel was an enterprising fellow, and the soldier boy's chances were growing amazingly small.

Secesh had actually reached a place where he could make a dash at the boat.

There he stood with a long bowie-knife between his teeth, and with both hands outstretched, ready to seize upon the unfortunate bark.

He looked grim and ferocious, and Tom saw that he was thoroughly in earnest.
It was a trying situation for a boy of Tom's years, and he would fain have dodged the issue.

That bowie-knife had a wicked look, though it was mild and tame compared with the savage eye of the rebel who held it.