Otherwise he might find out about the Sheriff's skiff, and think I had made up the story to escape arrest as a thief." So Winn held his peace, and only asked his host if he would furnish him the materials for writing a letter home.

Provided with these, he wrote to his mother as follows: "MANDRAKE, IOWA.
"MY OWN DEAR MOTHER,--I write to you instead of to father, as I suppose he must be somewhere on the river hunting for me by this time, though I have not seen him yet.
"I am all right, and having a fine time, but have lost the raft.

I am on board a boat called the _Whatnot_, with some very kind people--a gentleman named Fifield, a girl named Sabella, a funny old darky named Solon, and a monkey named Don Blossom.

I am bound to find the raft again if it is still afloat, and am going to keep on down the river in this boat until we catch up with it.
"I shall be here long enough for you to answer this letter; and send me some money, please, and tell me all about everybody.

Give my dear love to Elta, and tell her I wish she knew Sabella and Don Blossom.