"
Walkirk appeared uneasy at the detentions which still awaited us.
"Couldn't you take us straight on to Brimley," he asked of the captain,
"and sail back to your home in the morning?"
"No, sir!" answered Captain Jabe, with much decision. "My old woman
'spects me to-night,--in p'int of fact, she 'spected me a good deal
before night,--and I am not goin' to have her thinkin' I am run down in
a fog, and am now engaged in feedin' the sharks. There is to be a
quiltin' party at our house to-morrer arternoon, and there's a lot to be
done to get ready for it. Abner and me will have to set up pretty late
this night, I can tell yer!"
"Is there no way of getting to the railroad," I asked, "but by your
boat?"
"No," said Captain Jabe, "I can't see that there is. Pretty nigh all the
folks that will be at the bee to-morrow will come in boats. None of them
live nigh to a railroad station, and if they did, and could take ye back
with 'em, they wouldn't leave early enough for ye to ketch the last
train: so the best thing ye can do is to stick by me, and I'll guarantee
to git ye over to Brimley in time for the mornin' train on Saturday."
XXIX.
FANTASY?
We reached Captain Jabe's house a little after nightfall, and received a
hearty welcome and a good supper from his wife.
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