We haven't got her yet, though, and she isn't abandoned either, for there's smoke coming from that middle shanty.

I reckon the cook must be aboard, and maybe he'll sell the whole outfit for cash, and so give us a clear title to it." Here Mr.Gilder smiled as though the thought was most amusing.

"I'll go off and interview him anyway, and I'd better be about it too, for the river is still rising.

She won't hang there much longer, and if the fellow found his raft afloat again before a bargain was made he might not come to terms.

In that case we should be obliged to take forcible possession, which would be risky.