There was what looked like a stall at one end of the room, but it contained only bales of hay and sacks of oats.
"Yes, sah, we uses a mewel-ingine when we hab um.

We hain't got no mewel at de present time, but we 'specs ter contrac' fer one shortly," explained the negro, noting Winn's inquiring glances, as he assisted him to remove his wet garments.
Before the boy had a chance to ask the questions that were at his tongue's end, he, as well as the other occupants of the boat, was startled by a loud hail from the river.
"Hello! What steamer is that ?" "The _Whatnot_, of Dubuque," was the answer.
"Do you know the Sheriff of Dubuque County ?" "Who--Riley?
Yes, I know him." "Do you know his skiff ?" "As well as I know my own boat, for I built it." "Have you seen it pass down the river to-day, containing only a boy between sixteen and seventeen years old ?" "No.

Haven't seen it or any other skiff.

What's the matter?
Has it been stolen ?" "That'll do, thank you.

Good-night," came the reply, without an answer to this last question, and then the stranger passed out of hearing down the river..