Pat's peculiar charge was placed on top of the others, and he
maintained a most vigilant watch over it.
There was now a fair prospect of commencing the voyage, and our two
passengers were in high spirits. Henry was not a little fearful that the
boat would resume her long-occupied position at the levee; the very
thought of such a calamity was painful in the extreme. But this fear was
not realized; the Chalmetta gave the levee a wide berth. The Rubicon was
passed; the shades of doubt and anxiety were supplanted by the clear
sunshine of a bright prospect.
"We are at last fairly started," said Henry, seating himself by the side
of Uncle Nathan, on the boiler deck.
"Thank fortin, we are!" responded the farmer, heartily. "We are fast
getting away from that den of sin."
"And you may preserve your morals yet," said Henry, with a pleasant
laugh.
"My morals are safe enough, thank the Lord!" answered Uncle Nathan, a
little touched at this reflection upon his firmness; "but I don't like
the place, to say nothing of its morals."
"Very likely.
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