He also excavated a little pond near the shore, and gathered a
collection of caddice worms from the shallow border of the lake, after
which he found an old bait tin in the log shelter, that he filled with
water, into which he transferred the pond's inhabitants for
transportation. "Ef them baiuts don't suit, they's a heap o' little
frawgs in the grass of that there island," he finally remarked, before
unmooring the scow. Then the dominie and Mr. Perrowne got on board with
their rods, lines, and bait, and were poled and paddled by Ben over to
their isle of beauty. Their lines were in the water, and a bass was on
each hook, before the scow returned to the shore.
Now the Captain took command of the craft, occupying the entire stern
thwart; while Ben, with his gun resting on the floor and pointing its
muzzles out over the bow, held that end of the vessel. The commander
would not allow the passengers who sat amidships to do any work, but
said they might talk or sing if they had a mind to. Then the lawyer
sang:--
The floatin' scow ob ole Virginny
I've toiled for many a day,
Workin' among de oyster beds,
To me it was but play.
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