The curiosity of the river-men was sufficient to produce an almost instant silence, which in another second might have changed into an angry roar.
Who was this young fellow?
What business had he to interfere with their fun?
What was he going to say?
He'd better be careful! They were not in a humor to be trifled with.
For a moment he looked steadily at them.
Then he said: "Boys, I am surprised, and if I thought for a moment that you really meant to worry that old man, I should be ashamed of you.

But I know you didn't.

It was only your fun.

He has been a soldier, and lost a leg fighting for you and me and to preserve the glorious Union, that you and I are prouder of than anything else in life.

He has a daughter in there too--a young girl, for whom he is trying to make a living with this show.