The Story of Paul Boyton | Page 6

been stabbed, he feared fatally. Paul rushed into the cabin
where his friend lay helpless and gasping.
"Tom, Tom!" he wailed.
"Ah! Paul, my boy," faintly responded Tom, "I fear I'm about to slip
my cable. I want you lo help me say a few prayers. Just ask the good
Lord not to be hard on me. I've been rough and careless all my life, but
I never meant to be really bad. You talk for me."
The doctor came in and pushed the weeping Paul aside. One half hour
later Tom had quietly floated out to eternity.
No one knew his full name or where his people were, so next day they
buried him, the entire crew attending the funeral, and fervent were the
prayers poured out then and often afterwards by little Paul for the
friend so much beloved and so deeply mourned.
The Captain secured passage for Paul on a Northern bound boat and
bought him many little presents ere wishing him God speed. Among
them and prized most highly, were two red birds and a young alligator.
At five o'clock that evening came the order: "All aboard! Haul in your
gang- planks!" Just then a weird musical chant was struck up by the
slaves working on the levee, which was answered by the boat's crew, as
she backed out into the river and headed away on her long northern trip.
Paul had snug quarters and spent much of his time feeding the red birds
and playing with his alligator. He saw great fun ahead in the tricks he
hoped to spring on his sisters and friends with the cunning little reptile.
Whenever the boat made a landing, he was always on deck watching
the negroes, as they rolled bales of cotton down the steep bluffs or
struggled with the refractory hogs who refused to come aboard. The
loud commands and fierce oaths of the mate made him feel very
grateful that he was not a roustabout. About five weeks from the time
he had so thoughtlessly embarked on the coal fleet, he stood
hesitatingly half a block from his mother's home, holding in his hand
the cage containing his red birds, while snugly stowed away in the
bosom of his shirt was his much cherished pet, the alligator. He was not
sure of the reception he would receive; but at length he steeled his

nerves for whatever was in store and made a rush for the house. The
delighted mother folded him in her arms and covered his face with
kisses. His brothers and sisters grouped around with words of welcome
for the prodigal.
"Thank God that you are safe home again, dear Paul," exclaimed his
mother, as she embraced him again and again.
"But what's this?"
She started back, for she had felt something squirming inside of his
shirt.
"Oh, that's my dear little alligator," and Paul put in his hand and pulled
out his pet. His sisters ran screaming away. His mother gazed sternly at
him and said:
"Put out that ugly reptile!" Paul placed it tenderly on the floor beside
the red birds' cage and received from his fond mother a well merited
castigation. That evening, however, all was forgotten and Paul
entertained his family with stories of his adventures and was
doubtlessly looked upon by the little group, as a wonderful traveler or a
hardened young liar.
Paul's father, a traveling man, came home a few days after this. He had
a long consultation with his wife regarding the escapade of their
venturesome son. They came to the decision that they had better move
from the vicinity of the river and so wean him from his unnatural love
of the water. A week later found the family at the head of Federal Street,
about as far as they could get away from the river and still remain in the
city. Paul spent his last night before moving on one of his friends'
woodpiles; (his own had been pirated during his absence,) and bitterly
bemoaned the fate that took him so far away from his beloved element.
A rigid discipline was now pursued in regard to Paul. He was given a
certain space of time to go and return from school. After that he was
expected home and made to stay there. He studied hard all winter and
advanced rapidly. But he had to cross a bridge going to and coming

from school. He would always stop to gaze into the water he loved so
well, even if had to run to make up for lost time. Spring came on and
the longing increased to enjoy again the piney smell of the newly
arrived rafts, to dive into the clear depths, and revisit his old friends the
"pavers." He took off his shoes and felt