364: MEN 1 HAVE FISHED WITH. 



"On this particular night there was a heavy fog in 

 which a man could easily get lost, and the ice was getting 

 weaker every hour. I had looked in at the railroad 

 office, and found Bill at work on his books, and sat down 

 by the stove. After a while he looked up, and remarked : 

 'It's a bad night on the ice. Some people crossed the 

 river just before dark, but you wouldn't get me on it. 

 No, sir! I wouldn't try to cross that river for a thousand 

 dollars/ 



" 'Listen !' said I. 'What was that?' 



" 'Somebody singing,' suggested he. 

 "A wail came from the river, distinctly this time, for 

 the night was still. Bill grabbed a lantern, and we 

 rushed out on the dock. The feeble light did not show 

 an object ten feet away, but we heard a splash and a 

 groan, apparently not far out in the river. 



" 'Hang on!' cried Bill; Til be with you soon,' and in 

 spite of protest he dashed down the slope by Dandaraw's, 

 where people took the ice to cross. He shouted, and 

 soon I heard this dialogue: 



"'Oh, Lord! Help me out! I'm a respectable col- 

 ored man, and live over in Nigger Hollow, an' my name's 

 Stephen Baker. Oh, do please send someone quick!' 



"Then Bill said: 'You're respectable, are you? What 

 did you say your name was?' 



" 'It's Stephen Baker, an' I'm a respectable colored 

 man. Oh, do send some one quick, for I'll drown sure!' 



" 'Are you Steve Baker that stole Sim Diamond's 

 chickens?' 



" 'No, Lord, no! I never took no chickens; it was 

 my brother Jim. Oh, come quick!' 



" 'What you got hold of?' 



"'Aboard. Oh, do come!' 



"All the while Bill was looking for the edge of the 



