Clip went down to the creek, and unfastened the boat. He jumped in, and began to paddle away, when he heard a voice calling him.
Looking round, Clip recognized in the man hailing him Aaron Wolverton.
Mr. Wolverton did not own any boat himself, and when he had occasion to go across the river he generally managed to secure a free passage with some one who was going over. If absolutely necessary, he would pay a nickel; but he begrudged even this small sum, so mean was he.
Clip stopped paddling, and answered the call.
"Hi, Massa Wolverton; what's the matter?"
Now Clip was naturally obliging, but he disliked Wolverton as much as one of his easy good nature could do. So he felt disposed to tantalize him.
"Can't do it, Massa Wolverton. I'm in a terrible hurry."
"It won't take you a minute to come back."
"You needn't mind that, boy. Come back, I say!"
"Don't be a fool, you little nigger. I'll pay you."
"What'll you give?" asked Clip, cautiously.
"Couldn't do it, nohow. What good's a cent to me?"
"A cent's a good deal of money. You can buy a stick of candy."
"'Tain't enough, Massa Wolverton. I ain't goin' to resk gettin' licked for a cent."
Cunning Clip knew that there was no danger of this, but he thought it would serve as an argument.
"I'll give you two cents," said Wolverton, impatiently.
"Couldn't do it," said Clip. "Ef it was five, now, I might 'sider it."
Finally Wolverton was obliged to accede to Clip's terms, and the colored boy pushed the boat to shore, and took in his passenger.
"Can you row good, Clip?" asked Wolverton, nervously, for he was very much afraid of the water, and he had never had Clip for a boatman before.
"You jes' bet I can, Massa Wolverton. I can row mos' as good as Massa Bob."
"Well, show it then; I am in a hurry to get over the creek."
Clip rowed to the middle of the creek, and then stopped paddling.
"I reckon you'd better pay me the money now, Massa Wolverton," he said.
"Why, you young rascal, are you afraid to trust me?"
"I dunno 'bout dat; but I wants my money."
"You haven't earned it yet. What are you afraid of?"
"You might forget to pay me, Massa Wolverton."
"I'm goin' to sleep," said Clip, lying back in a lazy attitude.
"You young rascal! I've a good mind to fetch you a slap on the side of the head."