            ,,*APT] ,,VIII4
  ,! SUN 0 UP S HI< :5 ,I WAK$ T ,I
JUDG$ X 0 AF EI<T O'C4 ,I LAID "! 9 !
GRASS &! COOL %ADE ?9K+ AB ?+S1 & FEEL+
RE/$ & RU!R -=TA# & SATISFI$4 ,I CD SEE
! SUN \ AT "O OR TWO HOLES1 B MO/LY X 0
BIG TREES ALL AB1 & GLOOMY 9 "! AM;G/
!M4 ,"! 0 FRECKL$ PLACES ON ! GR.D ": !
LI<T SIFT$ D[N "? ! L1VES1 &! FRECKL$
PLACES SWAPP$ AB A LL1 %[+ "! 0 A LL
BREEZE UP "!4 ,A C\PLE ( SQUIRRELS SET
ON A LIMB & JA2]$ AT ME V FRLY4
  ,I 0 P[];L LAZY & -=TA#--DIDN'T WANT
6GET UP & COOK BR1KFA/4 ,WELL1 ,I 0 DOZ+
(F AG :5 ,I ?9KS ,I HE>S A DEEP S.D (
8BOOM60 AWAY UP ! RIV]4 ,I R\SES UP1 &
RE/S ON MY ELB[ & LI/5S2 PRETTY SOON ,I
HE>S X AG4 ,I HOPP$ UP1 & W5T & LOOK$ \
AT A HOLE 9 ! L1VES1 & ,I SEE A BUN* (
SMOKE LAY+ ON ! WAT] A L;G WAYS UP--AB
ABR1/ ! F]RY4 ,& "! 0 ! F]RYBOAT FULL (
P FLOAT+ AL;G D[N4 ,I "K$ :AT 0 ! MATT]
N[4 8,BOOM60 ,I SEE ! :ITE SMOKE SQUIRT
\ (! F]RYBOAT'S SIDE4 ,Y SEE1 !Y 0 FIR+
CANNON OV] ! WAT]1 TRY+ 6MAKE MY C>CASS
-E 6! TOP4
  ,I 0 PRETTY HUNGRY1 B X W>N'T GO+ 6D =
ME 6/>T A FIRE1 2C !Y MI<T SEE ! SMOKE4
,S ,I SET "! & WAT*$ ! CANNON-SMOKE &
LI/5$ 6! BOOM4 ,! RIV] 0 A MILE WIDE "!1
& X ALW LOOKS PRETTY ON A SUMM] MORN+--S
,I 0 HAV+ A GD 5 "T SEE+ !M HUNT = MY
REMA9D]S IF ,I ONLY _H A BITE 6EAT4
,WELL1 !N ,I HAPP5$ 6?9K H[ !Y ALW PUT
QKSILV] 9 LOAVES ( BR1D & FLOAT !M (F1
2C !Y ALW G "R 6! DR[ND$ C>CASS & /OP
"!4 ,S1 SAYS ,I1 ,I'LL KEEP A LOOK\T1 &
IF ANY ( !M'S FLOAT+ >.D AF ME ,I'LL
GIVE !M A %[4 ,I *ANG$ 6! ,ILL9OIS $GE (
! ISL& 6SEE :AT LUCK ,I CD H1 & ,I W>N'T
4APPO9T$4 ,A BIG D\# LOAF -E AL;G1 & ,I
MO/ GOT X )A L;G /ICK1 B MY FOOT SLIPP$
& %E FLOAT$ \ FUR!R4 ,( C\RSE ,I 0 ": !
CURR5T SET 9 ! CLOSE/ 6! %ORE--,I "K$ 5
= T4 ,B BY & BY AL;G -ES ANO!R "O1 & ?
"T ,I WON4 ,I TOOK \ ! PLUG & %OOK \ !
LL DAB ( QKSILV]1 & SET MY TEE? IN4 ,X 0
8BAK]'S BR1D0--:AT ! QUAL;Y EAT2 N"O (
YR L[-D[N CORN-P"O4
  ,I GOT A GD PLACE AM;G/ ! L1VES1 & SET
"! ON A LOG1 MUN*+ ! BR1D & WAT*+ !
F]RYBOAT1 & V WELL SATISFI$4 ,& !N "S?+
/RUCK ME4 ,I SAYS1 N[ ,I RECKON ! WID[
OR ! P>SON OR "SBODY PRAY$ T ? BR1D WD
F9D ME1 & "H X HAS G"O & D"O X4 ,S "!
A9'T NO D\BT B "! IS "S?+ 9 T ?+--T IS1
"!'S "S?+ 9 X :5 A BODY L ! WID[ OR !
P>SON PRAYS1 B X DON'T "W = ME1 & ,I
RECKON X DON'T "W = ONLY J ! "R K9D4
  ,I LIT A PIPE & _H A GD L;G SMOKE1 &
W5T ON WAT*+4 ,! F]RYBOAT 0 FLOAT+ )!
CURR5T1 & ,I ALL[$ ,I'D H A *.E 6SEE :O
0 ABO>D :5 %E -E AL;G1 2C %E WD -E 9
CLOSE1 ": ! BR1D DID4 ,:5 %E'D GOT
PRETTY WELL AL;G D[N T[>DS ME1 ,I PUT \
MY PIPE & W5T 6": ,I FI%$ \ ! BR1D1 &
LAID D[N 2H A LOG ON ! BANK 9 A LL OP5
PLACE4 ,": ! LOG =K$ ,I CD PEEP "?4
  ,BY & BY %E -E AL;G1 & %E DRIFT$ 9 S
CLOSE T !Y CD A RUN \ A PLANK & WALK$
A%ORE4 ,MO/ "EYBODY 0 ON ! BOAT4 ,PAP1 &
,JUDGE ,?AT*]1 & ,BESSIE ,?AT*]1 & ,JO
,H>P]1 & ,TOM ,SAWY]1 & 8 OLD ,AUNT
,POLLY1 & ,SID & ,M>Y1 & PL5TY M4
,"EYBODY 0 TALK+ AB ! MURD]1 B ! CAPTA9
BROKE 9 & SAYS3
  8,LOOK %>P1 N[2 ! CURR5T SETS 9 !
CLOSE/ "H1 & MAYBE HE'S WA%$ A%ORE & GOT
TANGL$ AM;G/ ! BRU% AT ! WAT]'S $GE4 ,I
HOPE S1 ANYWAY40
  8,I DIDN'T HOPE S4 ,!Y ALL CR[D$ UP &
L1N$ OV] ! RAILS1 NE>LY 9 MY FACE1 &
KEPT /1 WAT*+ ) ALL _! MI<T4 ,I CD SEE
!M F/-RATE1 B !Y CDN'T SEE ME4 ,!N !
CAPTA9 SUNG \3
  8,/& AWAY60 &! CANNON LET (F S* A BLA/
"R 2F ME T X MADE ME DEEF )! NOISE &
PRETTY NE> BL )! SMOKE1 & ,I JUDG$ ,I 0
G"O4 ,IF !Y'D A _H "S BULLETS IN1 ,I
RECKON !Y'D A GOT ! CORPSE !Y 0 AF4
,WELL1 ,I SEE ,I W>N'T HURT1 ?ANKS
6GD;S4 ,! BOAT FLOAT$ ON & W5T \ ( SI<T
>.D ! %\LD] (! ISL&4 ,I CD HE> ! BOOM+
N[ & !N1 FUR!R & FUR!R (F1 & BY & BY1 AF
AN H\R1 ,I DIDN'T HE> X NO M4 ,! ISL& 0
?REE MILE L;G4 ,I JUDG$ !Y _H GOT 6!
FOOT1 & 0 GIV+ X UP4 ,B !Y DIDN'T YET A
:ILE4 ,!Y TURN$ >.D ! FOOT (! ISL& &
/>T$ UP ! *ANNEL ON ! ,MISS\RI SIDE1 "U
/1M1 & BOOM+ ONCE 9 A :ILE Z !Y W5T4 ,I
CROSS$ OV] 6T SIDE & WAT*$ !M4 ,:5 !Y
GOT ABR1/ ! H1D (! ISL& !Y QUIT %OOT+ &
DROPP$ OV] 6! ,MISS\RI %ORE & W5T HOME
6! T[N4
  ,I "K$ ,I 0 ALL "R N[4 ,NOBODY ELSE WD
-E A-HUNT+ AF ME4 ,I GOT MY TRAPS \ (!
CANOE & MADE ME A NICE CAMP 9 ! ?ICK
WOODS4 ,I MADE A K9D (A T5T \ ( MY
BLANKETS 6PUT MY ?+S "U S ! RA9 CDN'T
GET AT !M4 ,I CAT*$ A CATFI% & HA7L$ HM
OP5 ) MY SAW1 & T[>DS SUND[N ,I />T$ MY
CAMP FIRE & _H SUPP]4 ,!N ,I SET \ A L9E
6CAT* "S FI% = BR1KFA/4
  ,:5 X 0 D>K ,I SET 0MY CAMP FIRE
SMOK+1 & FEEL+ PRETTY WELL SATISFI$2 B
BY & BY X GOT SORT ( L"O"S1 & S ,I W5T &
SET ON ! BANK & LI/5$ 6! CURR5T SWA%+
AL;G1 & C.T$ ! />S & DRIFT LOGS & RAFTS
T -E D[N1 & !N W5T 6B$2 "! A9'T NO BETT]
WAY 6PUT 9 "T :5 Y >E L"O"S2 Y C'T /AY
S1 Y SOON GET OV] X4
  ,& S = ?REE "DS & NI<TS4 ,NO DI6];E--J
! SAME ?+4 ,B ! NEXT "D ,I W5T EXPLOR+
>.D D[N "? ! ISL&4 ,I 0 BOSS ( X2 X ALL
2L;G$ 6ME1 S 6SAY1 & ,I WANT$ 6"K ALL AB
X2 B MA9LY ,I WANT$ 6PUT 9 ! "T4 ,I F.D
PL5TY /RAWB]RIES1 RIPE & PRIME2 & GRE5
SUMM] GRAPES1 & GRE5 RAZB]RIES2 &! GRE5
BLACKB]RIES 0 J 2G9N+ 6%[4 ,!Y WD ALL -E
H&Y BY & BY1 ,I JUDG$4
  ,WELL1 ,I W5T FOOL+ AL;G 9 ! DEEP
WOODS TILL ,I JUDG$ ,I W>N'T F> F ! FOOT
(! ISL&4 ,I _H MY GUN AL;G1 B ,I _HN'T
%OT NO?+2 X 0 = PROTEC;N2 ?"\ ,I WD KILL
"S GAME NI< HOME4 ,AB ? "T ,I MI<TY NE>
/EPP$ ON A GD-SIZ$ SNAKE1 & X W5T SLID+
(F "? ! GRASS & FL[]S1 & ,I AF X1 TRY+
6GET A %OT AT X4 ,I CLIPP$ AL;G1 & ALL (
A SU45 ,I B.D$ "R ON 6! A%ES (A CAMP
FIRE T 0 / SMOK+4
  ,MY HE>T JUMP$ UP AM;G/ MY LUNGS4 ,I
N"E WAIT$ = 6LOOK FUR!R1 B UNCOCK$ MY
GUN & W5T SN1K+ BACK ON MY TIPTOES Z FA/
Z "E ,I CD4 ,E N[ & !N ,I /OPP$ A SECOND
AM;G/ ! ?ICK L1VES & LI/5$1 B MY BR1? -E
S H>D ,I CDN'T HE> NO?+ ELSE4 ,I SLUNK
AL;G ANO!R PIECE FUR!R1 !N LI/5$ AG2 & S
ON1 & S ON4 ,IF ,I SEE A /UMP1 ,I TOOK X
=A MAN2 IF ,I TROD ON A /ICK & BROKE X1
X MADE ME FEEL L A P]SON _H CUT "O ( MY
BR1?S 9 TWO & ,I ONLY GOT HALF1 &! %ORT
HALF1 TOO4
  ,:5 ,I GOT 6CAMP ,I W>N'T FEEL+ V
BRA%1 "! W>N'T M* S& 9 MY CRAW2 B ,I
SAYS1 ? A9'T NO "T 6BE FOOL+ >.D4 ,S ,I
GOT ALL MY TRAPS 96MY CANOE AG S Z 6H !M
\ ( SI<T1 & ,I PUT \ ! FIRE & SCATT]$ !
A%ES >.D 6LOOK L AN OLD LA/ YE>'S CAMP1
& !N CLUMB A TREE4
  ,I RECKON ,I 0 UP 9 ! TREE TWO H\RS2 B
,I DIDN'T SEE NO?+1 ,I DIDN'T HE> NO?+--
,I ONLY ,,?"\ ,I HE>D & SE5 Z M* Z A
?\S& ?+S4 ,WELL1 ,I CDN'T /AY UP "! ="E2
S AT LA/ ,I GOT D[N1 B ,I KEPT 9 ! ?ICK
WOODS & ON ! LOOK\T ALL ! "T4 ,ALL ,I CD
GET 6EAT 0 B]RIES & :AT 0 LEFT OV] F
BR1KFA/4
  ,0! "T X 0 NI<T ,I 0 PRETTY HUNGRY4 ,S
:5 X 0 GD & D>K ,I SLID \ F %ORE 2F
MOONRISE & PA4L$ OV] 6! ,ILL9OIS BANK--
AB A QU>T] (A MILE4 ,I W5T \ 9 ! WOODS &
COOK$ A SUPP]1 & ,I _H AB MADE UP MY M9D
,I WD /AY "! ALL NI<T :5 ,I HE> A
,,PLUNKETY- ,,PLUNK1 ,,PLUNKETY-PLUNK1 &
SAYS 6MYF1 HORSES -+2 & NEXT ,I HE> P'S
VOICES4 ,I GOT "EY?+ 96! CANOE Z QK Z ,I
CD1 & !N W5T CREEP+ "? ! WOODS 6SEE :AT
,I CD F9D \4 ,I _HN'T GOT F> :5 ,I HE> A
MAN SAY3
  8,WE BETT] CAMP "H IF WE C F9D A GD
PLACE2 ! HORSES IS AB B1T \4 ,LET'S LOOK
>.D40
  ,I DIDN'T WAIT1 B %OV$ \ & PA4L$ AWAY
EASY4 ,I TI$ UP 9 ! OLD PLACE1 & RECKON$
,I WD SLEEP 9 ! CANOE4
  ,I DIDN'T SLEEP M*4 ,I CDN'T1 "SH[1 =
?9K+4 ,& E "T ,I WAK$ UP ,I ?"\ "SBODY
_H ME 0! NECK4 ,S ! SLEEP DIDN'T D ME NO
GD4 ,BY & BY ;,I SAYS 6MYF1 ,I C'T LIVE
? WAY2 ,I'M A-GO+ 6F9D \ :O X IS T'S "H
ON ! ISL& ) ME2 ,I'LL F9D X \ OR BU/4
,WELL1 ,I FELT BETT] "R (F4
  ,S ,I TOOK MY PA4LE & SLID \ F %ORE J
A /EP OR TWO1 & !N LET ! CANOE DROP AL;G
D[N AM;G/ ! %AD[S4 ,! MOON 0 %9+1 &
\TSIDE (! %AD[S X MADE X MO/ Z LI<T Z
"D4 ,I POK$ AL;G WELL ON 6AN H\R1 "EY?+
/ Z ROCKS & S.D ASLEEP4 ,WELL1 0? "T ,I
0 MO/ D[N 6! FOOT (! ISL&4 ,A LL RIPPLY1
COOL BREEZE 2GUN 6BL[1 & T 0 Z GD Z SAY+
! NI<T 0 AB D"O4 ,I GIVE H] A TURN )!
PA4LE & BRUNG H] NOSE 6%ORE2 !N ,I GOT
MY GUN & SLIPP$ \ & 96! $GE (! WOODS4 ,I
SAT D[N "! ON A LOG1 & LOOK$ \ "? !
L1VES4 ,I SEE ! MOON G (F WAT*1 &! D>K;S
2G9 6BLANKET ! RIV]4 ,B 9 A LL :ILE ,I
SEE A PALE /R1K OV] ! TREETOPS1 & "K$ !
"D 0 -+4 ,S ,I TOOK MY GUN & SLIPP$ (F
T[>DS ": ,I _H RUN ACR T CAMP FIRE1
/OPP+ E M9UTE OR TWO 6LI/54 ,B ,I _HN'T
NO LUCK "SH[2 ,I CDN'T SEEM 6F9D !
PLACE4 ,B BY & BY1 SURE 5\<1 ,I CAT*$ A
GLIMPSE ( FIRE AWAY "? ! TREES4 ,I W5T =
X1 CAUTI\S & SL[4 ,BY & BY ;,I 0 CLOSE 5
6H A LOOK1 & "! LAID A MAN ON ! GR.D4 ,X
MO/ GIVE ME ! FANTODS4 ,HE _H A BLANKET
>.D 8 H1D1 & 8 H1D 0 NE>LY 9 ! FIRE4 ,I
SET "! 2H A CLUMP ( BU%ES 9 AB SIX FOOT
( HM1 & KEPT MY EYES ON HM /1DY4 ,X 0
GETT+ GRAY "DLI<T N[4 ,PRETTY SOON HE
GAPP$ & /RET*$ HMF & HOVE (F ! BLANKET1
& X 0 ,MISS ,WATSON'S ,JIM6 ,I BET ,I 0
GLAD 6SEE HM4 ,I SAYS3
  8,HELLO1 ,JIM60 & SKIPP$ \4
  ,HE B\NC$ UP & />$ AT ME WILD4 ,!N HE
DROPS D[N ON 8 KNEES1 & PUTS 8 H&S TGR &
SAYS3
  8,DOAN0' HURT ME--DON'T6 ,I HA9'T "E
D"O NO H>M 6A <OS0'4 ,I ALWUZ LIK$ D1D
P1 EN D"O ALL ,I CD = 'EM4 ,Y G EN GIT 9
DE RIV] AG91 :AH Y B'L;GS1 EN DOAN0' D
NU6N 6,OLE ,JIM1 ,8AT ,8UZ AWLUZ YO0'
FR50'40
  ,WELL1 ,I W>N'T L;G MAK+ HM "U/& ,I
W>N'T D1D4 ,I 0 "E S GLAD 6SEE ,JIM4 ,I
W>N'T L"O"S N[4 ,I TOLD HM ,I W>N'T
AFRAID ( ,,HM TELL+ ! P ": ,I WAS4 ,I
TALK$ AL;G1 B HE ONLY SET "! & LOOK$ AT
ME2 N"E SD NO?+4 ,!N ,I SAYS3
  8,X'S GD "DLI<T4 ,LE'S GET BR1KFA/4
,MAKE UP YR CAMP FIRE GD40
  8,:AT'S DE USE ] MAK9' UP DE CAMP FIRE
6COOK /RAWBRIES EN SI* TRUCK8 ,B Y GOT A
GUN1 HA9'T Y8 ,D5 WE K9 GIT SUMFN BETT]
D5 /RAWBRIES40
  8,/RAWB]RIES & S* TRUCK10 ,I SAYS4
8,IS T :AT Y LIVE ON80
  8,I CDN0' GIT NU6N ELSE10 HE SAYS4
  8,:Y1 H[ L;G Y BE5 ON ! ISL&1 ,JIM80
  8,I -E H1H DE NI<T >T] Y\'S KILL$40
  8,:AT1 ALL T "T80
  8,YES--9DE$Y40
  8,& A9'T Y _H NO?+ B T K9D ( RUB- BAGE
6EAT80
  8,NO1 SAH--NU6N ELSE40
  8,WELL1 Y M/ 2 MO/ />V$1 A9'T Y80
  8,I RECK'N ,I CD EAT A HOSS4 ,I ?9K ,I
CD4 ,H[ L;G Y B5 ON DE ISLAN0'80
  8,S9CE ! NI<T ,I GOT KILL$40
  8,NO6 ,W'Y1 :AT HAS Y LIV$ ON8 ,B Y
GOT A GUN4 ,OH1 YES1 Y GOT A GUN4 ,DAT'S
GD4 ,N[ Y KILL SUMFN EN ,I'LL MAKE UP DE
FIRE40
  ,S WE W5T OV] 6": ! CANOE WAS1 & :ILE
HE BUILT A FIRE 9 A GRASSY OP5 PLACE
AM;G/ ! TREES1 ,I FET*$ M1L & BACON &
C(FEE1 & C(FEE-POT & FRY+-PAN1 & SUG> &
T9 CUPS1 &! NI7] 0 SET BACK 3SID]A#1 2C
HE RECKON$ X 0 ALL D"O ) WIT*CRAFT4 ,I
CAT*$ A GD BIG CATFI%1 TOO1 & ,JIM CL1N$
HM ) 8 KNIFE1 & FRI$ HM4
  ,:5 BR1KFA/ 0 R1DY WE LOLL$ ON ! GRASS
& EAT X SMOK+ HOT4 ,JIM LAID X 9 ) ALL 8
MI<T1 = HE 0 MO/ AB />V$4 ,!N :5 WE _H
GOT PRETTY WELL /U6$1 WE LAID (F &
LAZI$4 ,BY & BY ,JIM SAYS3
  8,B LOOKY "H1 ,HUCK1 :O WUZ X DAT ,8UZ
KILL$ 9 DAT %ANTY EF X W>N'T Y80
  ,!N ,I TOLD HM ! :OLE ?+1 & HE SD X 0
SM>T4 ,HE SD ,TOM ,SAWY] CDN'T GET UP NO
BETT] PLAN ?AN :AT ,I _H4 ,!N ,I SAYS3
  8,H[ D Y -E 6BE "H1 ,JIM1 & H['D Y GET
"H80
  ,HE LOOK$ PRETTY UNEASY1 & DIDN'T SAY
NO?+ =A M9UTE4 ,!N HE SAYS3
  8,MAYBE ,I BETT] N TELL40
  8,:Y1 ,JIM80
  8,WELL1 DEY'S R1SONS4 ,B Y WDN0' TELL
ON ME EF ,I UZ 6TELL Y1 WD Y1 ,HUCK80
  8,BLAM$ IF ,I WD1 ,JIM40
  8,WELL1 ,I B'LIEVE Y1 ,HUCK4 ,I--,I
,,RUN ,,(F40
  8,JIM60
  8,B M9D1 Y SD Y WDN0' TELL--Y "K Y SD
Y WDN0' TELL1 ,HUCK40
  8,WELL1 ,I DID4 ,I SD ,I WDN'T1 &
,I'LL /ICK 6X4 ,H"O/ ,,INJUN1 ,I W4 ,P
WD CALL ME A L[D[N ,ABOLI;NI/ & DESPISE
ME = KEEP+ MUM--B T DON'T MAKE NO
DI6];E4 ,I A9'T A-GO+ 6TELL1 & ,I A9'T
A-GO+ BACK "!1 ANYWAYS4 ,S1 N[1 LE'S "K
ALL AB X40
  8,WELL1 Y SEE1 X ,8UZ DIS WAY4 ,OLE
MISSUS--DAT'S ,MISS ,WATSON--%E PECKS ON
ME ALL DE "T1 EN TR1TS ME POOTY R\<1 B
%E AWLUZ SD %E WDN0' SELL ME D[N
6,ORL1NS4 ,B ,I NOTIC$ DEY WUZ A NI7]
TRAD] R\N0' DE PLACE 3SIDA# LATELY1 EN
,I 2G9 6GIT ON1SY4 ,WELL1 "O NI<T ,I
CREEPS 6DE D0' POOTY LATE1 EN DE D0'
W>N'T Q %ET1 EN ,I HE> OLD MISSUS TELL
DE WI4] %E GWYNE 6SELL ME D[N 6,ORL1NS1
B %E DIDN0' WANT TO1 B %E CD GIT EI<T
HUND'D DOLL>S = ME1 EN X ,8UZ SI* A BIG
/ACK O' M"OY %E CDN0' RESIS0'4 ,DE WI4]
%E TRY 6GIT H] 6SAY %E WDN0' D X1 B ,I
N"E WAIT$ 6HE> DE RES0'4 ,I LIT \ MI<TY
QK1 ,I TELL Y4
  8,I TUCK \ EN %9 D[N DE HILL1 EN
,8SPEC 6/1L A SKIFT ,8L;G DE %O0' SOM']S
,8BOVE DE T[N1 B DEY WUZ P A-/IRR+ YIT1
S ,I HID 9 DE OLE TUM#-D[N COOP]-%OP ON
DE BANK 6WAIT = "EYBODY 6G ,8WAY4 ,WELL1
,I WUZ DAH ALL NI<T4 ,DEY WUZ "SBODY
R\N0' ALL DE "T4 ,8,L;G ,8B\T SIX 9 DE
MAWN9' SKIFTS 2G9 6G BY1 EN ,8B\T EI<T ]
N9E E SKIFT DAT W5T ,8L;G WUZ TALK9'
,8B\T H[ YO0' PAP -E OV] 6DE T[N EN SAY
Y\'S KILL$4 ,DESE LAS' SKIFTS WUZ FULL
O' LADIES EN G5LM5 A-GO9' OV] = 6SEE DE
PLACE4 ,"S"TS DEY'D PULL UP AT DE %O0'
EN TAKE A RES' B'FO0' DEY />T$ ACRO/1 S
0DE TALK ,I GOT 6"K ALL ,8B\T DE KILL9'4
,I ,8UZ P[];L SORRY Y\'S KILL$1 ,HUCK1 B
,I A9'T NO MO0' N[4
  8,I LAID DAH "U DE %AV9'S ALL "D4 ,I
,8UZ HUNGRY1 B ,I W>N'T AFE>D2 2KASE ,I
"K$ OLE MISSUS EN DE WI4] WUZ GO9' 6/>T
6DE CAMP- MEET'N' "R >T] BR1KFAS0' EN 2
G"O ALL "D1 EN DEY "KS ,I GOES (F WID DE
CATTLE ,8B\T "DLI<T1 S DEY WDN0' ,8SPEC
6SEE ME R\N0' DE PLACE1 EN S DEY WDN0'
MISS ME TELL >T] D>K 9 DE EV59'4 ,DE
YU!R S]VANTS WDN0' MISS ME1 KASE DEY'D
%9 \ EN TAKE HOLI"D SOON Z DE OLE FOLKS
,8UZ \'N DE WAY4
  8,WELL1 :5 X -E D>K ,I TUCK \ UP DE
RIV] ROAD1 EN W5T ,8B\T TWO MILE ] M
6:AH DEY W>N'T NO H\SES4 ,I'D MADE UP MY
M9E ,8B\T :AT ;,I'S AGWYNE 6D4 ,Y SEE1
EF ,I KEP0' ON TRY9' 6GIT AWAY AFOOT1 DE
DOGS ,8UD TRACK ME2 EF ,I /OLE A SKIFT
6CROSS OV]1 DEY'D MISS DAT SKIFT1 Y SEE1
EN DEY'D "K ,8B\T :AH ,I'D LAN0' ON DE
YU!R SIDE1 EN :AH 6PICK UP MY TRACK4 ,S
,I SAYS1 A RAFF IS :AT ;,I'S >T]2 X
DOAN0' ,,MAKE NO TRACK4
  8,I SEE A LI<T A-COM9' R\N0' DE P'9T
BYMEBY1 S ,I WADE0' 9 EN %OVE0' A LOG
AH1D O' ME EN SWUM MORE'N HALF WAY ACRO/
DE RIV]1 EN GOT 9 'M;G/ DE DRIFTWOOD1 EN
KEP0' MY H1D D[N L[1 EN K9D] SWUM AG9 DE
CURR5T TELL DE RAFF -E AL;G4 ,D5 ,I SWUM
6DE /]N UV X EN TUCK A-HOLT4 ,X CL\D$ UP
EN ,8UZ POOTY D>K =A LL :ILE4 ,S ,I
CLUMB UP EN LAID D[N ON DE PLANKS4 ,DE
M5 ,8UZ ALL ,8WAY YOND] 9 DE MI4LE1 :AH
DE LANT]N WUZ4 ,DE RIV] WUZ A- RIS9'1 EN
DEY WUZ A GD CURR5T2 S ,I RECK'N'D ,8AT
0FO0' 9 DE MAWN9' ,I'D 2 TW5TY-FIVE MILE
D[N DE RIV]1 EN D5 ,I'D SLIP 9 JIS
B'FO0' "DLI<T EN SWIM A%O0'1 EN TAKE 6DE
WOODS ON DE ,ILL9OIS SIDE4
  8,B ,I DIDN0' H NO LUCK4 ,:5 WE ,8UZ
MOS' D[N 6DE H1D ] DE ISLAN0' A MAN 2G9
6-E AFT WID DE LANT]N1 ,I SEE X W>N'T NO
USE F] 6WAIT1 S ,I SLID OV]BO>D EN /RUCK
\ F] DE ISLAN0'4 ,WELL1 ,I _H A NO;N ,I
CD LAN0' MOS' ANY:]S1 B ,I CDN'T--BANK
TOO BLUFF4 ,I ,8UZ MOS' 6DE FOOT ] DE
ISLAN0' B'FO0' ,I F.D0' A GD PLACE4 ,I
W5T 96DE WOODS EN J$G$ ,I WDN0' FOOL WID
RA6S NO MO0'1 L;G Z DEY MOVE DE LANT]N
R\N0' S4 ,I _H MY PIPE EN A PLUG ] DOG-
LEG1 EN "S MAT*ES 9 MY CAP1 EN DEY W>N'T
WET1 S ,I ,8UZ ALL "R40
  8,& S Y A9'T _H NO M1T NOR BR1D 6EAT
ALL ? "T8 ,:Y DIDN'T Y GET MUD-TURKLES80
  8,H[ Y GWYNE 6GIT 'M8 ,Y C'T SLIP UP
ON UM EN GRAB UM2 EN H['S A BODY GWYNE
6HIT UM WID A ROCK8 ,H[ CD A BODY D X 9
DE NI<T8 ,EN ,I W>N'T GWYNE 6%[ MYSEF ON
DE BANK 9 DE "D"T40
  8,WELL1 T'S S4 ,Y'VE _H 6KEEP 9 !
WOODS ALL ! "T1 ( C\RSE4 ,DID Y HE> 'EM
%OOT+ ! CANNON80
  8,OH1 YES4 ,I "K$ DEY 0 >T] Y4 ,I SEE
UM G 0H1H--WAT*$ UM ?OO DE BU%ES40
  ,"S "Y BIRDS -E AL;G1 FLY+ A Y>D OR
TWO AT A "T & LI<T+4 ,JIM SD X 0 A SIGN
X 0 GO+ 6RA94 ,HE SD X 0 A SIGN :5 "Y
*ICK5S FLEW T WAY1 & S HE RECKON$ X 0 !
SAME WAY :5 "Y BIRDS D"O X4 ,I 0 GO+
6CAT* "S ( !M1 B ,JIM WDN'T LET ME4 ,HE
SD X 0 D1?4 ,HE SD 8 "F LAID MI<TY SICK
ONCE1 & "S ( !M CAT*$ A BIRD1 & 8 OLD
GRANNY SD 8 "F WD DIE1 & HE DID4
  ,& ,JIM SD Y M/N'T C.T ! ?+S Y >E GO+
6COOK = D9N]1 2C T WD BR+ BAD LUCK4 ,!
SAME IF Y %OOK ! TA#-CLO? AF SUND[N4 ,&
HE SD IF A MAN [N$ A BEEHIVE & T MAN
DI$1 ! BEES M/ 2 TOLD AB X 2F SUN-UP
NEXT MORN+1 OR ELSE ! BEES WD ALL W1K5
D[N & QUIT "W & DIE4 ,JIM SD BEES WDN'T
/+ IDIOTS2 B ,I DIDN'T 2LIEVE T1 2C ,I
_H TRI$ !M LOTS ( "TS MYF1 & !Y WDN'T /+
ME4
  ,I _H HE>D AB "S ( ^! ?+S 2F1 B N ALL
( !M4 ,JIM "K$ ALL K9DS ( SIGNS4 ,HE SD
HE "K$ MO/ "EY?+4 ,I SD X LOOK$ 6ME L
ALL ! SIGNS 0 AB BAD LUCK1 & S ,I ASK$
HM IF "! W>N'T ANY GD-LUCK SIGNS4 ,HE
SAYS3
  8,MI<TY FEW--AN0' ,,DEY A9'T NO USE 6A
BODY4 ,:AT Y WANT 6"K :5 GD LUCK'S A-
-9' =8 ,WANT 6KEEP X (F80 ,& HE SD3 8,EF
Y\'S GOT HAIRY >MS EN A HAIRY BR1S0'1
X'S A SIGN DAT Y\'S AGWYNE 6BE RI*4
,WELL1 DEY'S "S USE 9 A SIGN L DAT1
,8KASE X'S S FUR AH1D4 ,Y SEE1 MAYBE
Y\'S GOT 6BE PO0' A L;G "T FU/1 EN S Y
MI<T GIT 4C\RAGE0' EN KILL YO'SEF 'F Y
DIDN0' "K 0DE SIGN DAT Y GWYNE 6BE RI*
BYMEBY40
  8,H Y GOT HAIRY >MS &A HAIRY BR1/1
,JIM80
  8,:AT'S DE USE 6AX DAT "Q8 ,DON'T Y
SEE ,I HAS80
  8,WELL1 >E Y RI*80
  8,NO1 B ,I B5 RI* WUN/1 & GWYNE 6BE
RI* AG94 ,WUN/ ,I _H FOTE5 DOLL>S1 B ,I
TUCK 6SPECALAT'N'1 EN GOT BU/$ \40
  8,:AT DID Y SPECULATE IN1 ,JIM80
  8,WELL1 FU/ ,I TACKL$ /OCK40
  8,:AT K9D ( /OCK80
  8,:Y1 LIVE /OCK--CATTLE1 Y "K4 ,I PUT
T5 DOLL>S 9 A C[4 ,B ,I A9' GWYNE 6RESK
NO MO0' M"OY 9 /OCK4 ,DE C[ UP 'N' DI$
ON MY HAN'S40
  8,S Y LO/ ! T5 DOLL>S40
  8,NO1 ,I DIDN'T LOSE X ALL4 ,I ON'Y
LOS' ,8B\T N9E ( X4 ,I SOLE DE HIDE EN
TALL] =A DOLL> EN T5 C5TS40
  8,Y _H FIVE DOLL>S & T5 C5TS LEFT4
,DID Y SPECULATE ANY M80
  8,YES4 ,Y "K T "O-LAI7$ NI7] DAT
B'L;GS 6OLD ,MI/O ,BRADI%8 ,WELL1 HE SOT
UP A BANK1 EN SAY ANYBODY DAT PUT 9 A
DOLL> WD GIT FO0' DOLL>S MO0' AT DE EN0'
] DE YE>4 ,WELL1 ALL DE NI7]S W5T IN1 B
DEY DIDN'T H M*4 ,I WUZ DE ON'Y "O DAT
_H M*4 ,S ,I /UCK \ = MO0' DAN FO0'
DOLL>S1 EN ,I SD 'F ,I DIDN0' GIT X ,I'D
/>T A BANK MY- SEF4 ,WELL1 O' C\RSE DAT
NI7] WANT0' 6KEEP ME \ ] DE BUSI;S1
2KASE HE SAYS DEY W>N'T BUSI;S ,8N\< =
TWO BANKS1 S HE SAY ,I CD PUT 9 MY FIVE
DOLL>S EN HE PAY ME ?IRTY-FIVE AT DE
EN0' ] DE YE>4
  8,S ,I D"O X4 ,D5 ,I RECK'N'D ,I'D
9VES' DE ?IRTY-FIVE DOLL>S "R (F EN KEEP
?+S A-MOV9'4 ,DEY WUZ A NI7] "N0' ,BOB1
DAT _H KET*$ A WOOD- FLAT1 EN 8 M>/]
DIDN0' "K X2 EN ,I B"\ X (F'N HM EN TOLD
HM 6TAKE DE ?IRTY-FIVE DOLL>S :5 DE EN0'
] DE YE> -E2 B "SBODY /OLE DE WOOD-FLAT
DAT NI<T1 EN NEX "D DE "O-LAI7$ NI7] SAY
DE BANK'S BU/$4 ,S DEY DIDN0' N"O UV U
GIT NO M"OY40
  8,:AT DID Y D )! T5 C5TS1 ,JIM80
  8,WELL1 ,I ,8UZ GWYNE 6SP50' X1 B ,I
_H A DR1M1 EN DE DR1M TOLE ME 6GIVE X 6A
NI7] "N0' ,BALUM--,BALUM'S ,ASS DEY CALL
HM = %ORT2 HE'S "O ] DEM *UCKLEH1DS1 Y
"K4 ,B HE'S LUCKY1 DEY SAY1 EN ,I SEE ,I
W>N'T LUCKY4 ,DE DR1M SAY LET ,BALUM
9VES' DE T5 C5TS EN HE'D MAKE A RAISE =
ME4 ,WELL1 ,BALUM HE TUCK DE M"OY1 EN :5
HE WUZ 9 *UR* HE HE> DE PR1*] SAY DAT
:O"E GIVE 6DE PO0' L50' 6DE ,"L1 EN
B\N0' 6GIT 8 M"OY BACK A HUND'D "TS4 ,S
,BALUM HE TUCK EN GIVE DE T5 C5TS 6DE
PO0'1 EN LAID L[ 6SEE :AT WUZ GWYNE 6-E
( X40
  8,WELL1 :AT DID -E ( X1 ,JIM80
  8,NU6N N"E -E ( X4 ,I CDN0' MANAGE TO
;K'LECK DAT M"OY NO WAY2 EN ,BALUM HE
CDN0'4 ,I A9' GWYNE 6L50' NO MO0' M"OY
,8D\T ,I SEE DE SECUR;Y4 ,B\N0' 6GIT
YO0' M"OY BACK A HUND'D "TS1 DE PR1*]
SAYS6 ,EF ,I CD GIT DE T5 ,,C5TS BACK1
,I'D CALL X SQUAH1 EN 2 GLAD ] DE *AN/40
  8,WELL1 X'S ALL "R ANYWAY1 ,JIM1 L;G Z
Y'RE GO+ 6BE RI* AG "S "T OR O!R40
  8,YES2 EN ;,I'S RI* N[1 -E 6LOOK AT X4
,I [NS MYSEF1 EN ;,I'S WU? EI<T HUND'D
DOLL>S4 ,I WI%T ,I _H DE M"OY1 ,I WDN0'
WANT NO MO0'40
