A FLORIDA SHRINE. 203 



They said they were. 



" Well, come inside. Stay out there, and 

 you '11 git hurt and cost this dried-up com- 

 pany more money than you's wuth." 



They dropped into seats by the rear door. 

 He motioned them to the front corner. 

 " Sit down there," he said, " right there." 

 They obeyed, and as he turned away he 

 added, what I found more and more to be 

 true, as I saw more of him, " I ain't de boss, 

 but I 's got right smart to say." 



Then he whistled to the mules, flourished 

 his whip, and to a persistent accompaniment 

 of whacks and whistles we went crawling up 

 the hill. 



