"
The darkness of the night, just before the dawn, hung over the
broad river. Doors and windows of the pilot house were thrown
open so that the wheelman might get a clear view on all sides.
All at once Cummings seemed to feel some presence near him.
He thought he caught the sound of a footfall on the deck.
To make sure he left the wheel for a few seconds, peering out
along the deck, on both sides of the pilot house.
He saw no one. The air was filled with a black pall of smoke
from the "Marie's" funnel, the smoke settling over the boat,
wholly enveloping her from her stack to the stern paddle wheel.
"Huh!" grunted the pilot, returning to his duties.
Yet his ears had not deceived him. Something was near him, a
strange shape, the like of which never had been seen on the deck
of the "Fat Marie", in all her long service on the Mississippi.
"If that fool boy comes nosing around here I'll throw him
overboard--that's what I'll do," threatened Cummings. "I'll show
him he can't fool with the pilot of the finest steamboat of the
old line. I--"
The pilot suddenly checked himself and peered out to starboard.
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