They finally espied him under the bow of the steamboat Trenton.

They got a pike-pole, and tried to drive him from his hiding place.

When they would strike at him, he would dive under the water.

The water was so cold, that it soon became evident that he must come out or be drowned.
While they were trying to drive him from under the bow of the boat or drown him, he would in broken and imploring accents say, "I did not steal the meat; I did not steal the meat.

My master lives up the river.
I want to see my master.