human
What's this? Whom have you here?
gpt
I don't know, sir, answered the officer.
human
He came over the side half a mile above here.
gpt
What--what's this--came over the side?
human
Yes, sir.
gpt
Impossible!
human
I saw him. I was standing astern when he climbed over the rail.
gpt
See here, young man, what does this mean?
human
I fell from a boat, sir, further up the river. I was trying to swim ashore when you nearly ran me down. You see, I did not know you were going to make that sharp turn and I did not have time to get out of the way.
gpt
That is not a likely story, young man. How did you get aboard this boat? That is what I want to know.
human
Is there a rope trailing, mate?
gpt
I don't know, sir.
human
Find out.
gpt
Wonderful! breathed the captain.
human
How did you ever do it, and you only a boy?
gpt
I am pretty strong, even if I am a boy,
human
What is your name?
gpt
How did you happen to get in the river?
human
I told you I fell in, or something of the sort, from the 'Fat Marie.'
gpt
Never heard of her.
human
I think she was called the 'Mary Jane.'
gpt
Oh, that's that circus boat--the Sparling Circus?
human
Yes, sir.
gpt
Do you belong to the circus?
human
Yes. I am a bareback rider and a trapeze performer.
gpt
Well, you beat anything that I ever heard of. You certainly must be a performer if you did a thing like that. I remember the pilot's telling me he thought he heard someone cry out from the river, but as the call was not repeated, he thought he must have been mistaken. Come in, and we will put you to bed.
human
I have no money with me, sir, said the lad.
gpt
If you will extend the courtesies of your craft to me, I will see that you are well paid after I reach my show once more.
human
We will take care of you. Never mind about the pay.
gpt
By the way, where is your next landing place?
human
Memphis.
gpt
Where do you want to go?
human
Corinth, I believe is the stand we show at tomorrow.
gpt
That's not far from Memphis. We will land you at Memphis in the morning and you can take a train back, getting you to Corinth in plenty of time for your show. I will see that you have a ticket.
human
Thank you ever so much. You are very kind.