"Do you know of any vessels up here loading with cotton ?" asked Christy.
"P'raps I do, massa; and den, again, p'raps I don't know anyt'ing about any vessels," replied the negro, very indefinitely.
Christy was provoked at the manner in which the negro replied to his questions.

Ordering his boat's crew to give way with all their might, he directed the cockswain to run for the punt of the negro.

The cutter struck it on the broadside, and broke it into two pieces.

The boatman was fished up, and hauled on board of the boat.
[Illustration: "The boatman was fished up and hauled on board the boat." Page 301.].