family, fortifying the injunction with dire threats as to the
consequences that would descend with lightning--like suddenness
on the head of the unlucky sinner who forgot and raised his voice
above a whisper. Then he despatched a chicken; sure sign that he
and Polly considered their guest had reached the first stage of
convalescence.




CHAPTER XVIII

AN ORPHAN MAN OF TITLE


The raft drifted on into the day's heat; and when at last Yancy
awoke, it was to find Henry and Keppel seated beside him, each
solacing him with a small moist hand, while they regarded him out
of the serious unblinking eyes of childhood.

"Howdy!" said he, smiling up at them.

"Howdy!" they answered, a sociable grin puckering their freckled
faces.

"Do you find yo'self pretty well, sir?" inquired Keppel.

"I find myself pretty weak," replied Yancy.

"Me and Kep has been watching fo' to keep the flies from stinging