A FLORIDA SHRINE. 203 
They said they were. 
“ Well, come inside. Stay out there, and 
you ‘ll 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. 
