Tall birds on immensely long and slender legs stood in the
shallower water and now and then as quick as a flash of lightning darted
down a hooked bill. Invariably the bill came up with a fish struggling in
its grasp.
Beautiful flamingoes hovered about the bank and many birds of brilliant
plumage darted from tree to tree. Few of these sang, except the mocking
bird, which gave forth an incessant mellow note. But it was a scene of
uncommon peace and beauty and all felt its influence.
Henry looked at the creek and the forest through which it came with an
appreciative eye. He knew because the waters of the creek were clear that
it must flow through hard, firm ground, and he was thinking at that moment
of a plan which he intended to carry out later.
Their first work was with the boat. In its long voyage on the river it had
gathered mud and other objects on its bottom. This they could see
perfectly now that it lay in the clear water, and Shif'less Sol and Jim
Hart volunteered to scrape it with two of the shovels that were contained
in the invaluable store house of "The Galleon."
Their offer was accepted, and taking off their clothing, they sprang into
the water. Once a huge cat fish from the Mississippi, unused to man,
brushed against Long Jim's leg, its horn raking him slightly.
Pages:
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246