"I steered just as you told me to, Massa Bob."
"No, you didn't. You should have kept the boat at least a hundred and fifty feet from the shore."
"Didn't I, Massa Bob?" asked Clip, innocently.
"No. Don't you see we are not more than fifty feet away now?"
"I didn't get out and measure, Massa Bob," said Clip, with a grin.
"Now, own up, Clip, were you not looking at something on the bank, so that you didn't notice where you were steering?"
"Who told you, Massa Bob?" asked Clip, wondering.
"I know it must be so. Do you know you have got us into trouble? How am I going to get the boat back into the stream?"
Clip scratched his head hopelessly. The problem was too intricate for him to solve.
"I think, Clip, I shall have to leave you over at the next place we come to. You are more bother than you are worth."
"Oh, don't, Massa Bob. I won't do so again. 'Deed I won't."
Bob didn't relent for some time. He felt that it was necessary to impress Clip with the heinousness of his conduct. At length he agreed to give him one more chance. He had to secure the services of two stout backwoodsmen to remove the tree, and this occasioned a delay of at least two hours. Finally the boat got started again, and for the remainder of the day there was no trouble.
Towards the close of the afternoon they reached a place which we will call Riverton. It was a smart Western village of about two thousand inhabitants. Bob and Sam went on shore to get some supper, leaving Clip in charge.
"Now, Clip, you must keep your eyes open, and take good care of everything while we are gone," said Bob.
About ten minutes after the boys went away Clip was sitting on a barrel whistling a plantation melody, when a slender, florid-complexioned young man stepped aboard.
"Good-evening, sir," he said, removing his hat.
"Evenin'," answered Clip, with a grin. He was flattered by being addressed as "sir."
"Yes; while Massa Bob and Sam are gone ashore."
"Are you three all that are on board--I mean all that man the boat?"
"Do you think they would take me as passenger?"
"They won't take no passengers," he answered. "An ol' woman wanted to go as passenger, and another man" (Clip was unconscious of the bull), "but Massa Bob he said no."
"Suppose I make a bargain with you," said the man, insinuatingly.