"I wonder what he will think when he finds that I am missing?
I hope they do not turn about and come back to look for me, for
I hardly think they will be able to do that and make their next
stand in time."
Once more the lad began pulling himself up the rope. At last,
to his great relief, his fingers closed over the stern rail of
the river boat. Phil pulled himself up as if he were chinning
the bar, though in this case he chinned it only once.
Elbows were braced on the rail, then the right leg was thrown
over and Phil Forrest was high and dry on the deck of a great
river steamer, after an experience that perhaps never had
befallen a human being on the Mississippi before.
He found himself standing face to face with an officer of the
boat, who proved to be the mate. The man was so astonished at
the dripping figure that had come over the stern, that, for the
moment, he did not speak.
"Good evening," greeted Phil politely.
"Who are you?" demanded the mate sternly.
"I guess I am Old Neptune himself. Maybe I am a mermaid.
At least I have just risen from the sea, and mighty glad
I am that I have risen.
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