Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1895 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER III. OCALA. The words had scarcely left his mouth when a well-remembered bass voice rolled out soft, deep, and clear from a point just below them; and they saw a pirogue come from under some thick boughs that overhung the water. "Oho! here you are again, my fine fellows. Glad to find you so soon!" It was Hiram, sitting erect and majestic in the canoe. His face was beaming with delight. Evidently he was glad to see them. "Good gracious I " exclaimed Louis. Rhett gazed in silence. His surprise and some deeper emotion were too strong to find vent in any form of words. "You haven't set out on your return to the North, I hope, my boys?" "No, sir," said Louis, not quite able to master his feelings. "No, sir; we're only taking a little exercise." "That's good. Exercise, regular habits, wholesome food, pure thoughts, and a happy heart are the ingredients of a long life. There's no need for anyone to ever grow infirm. You two boys ought to live a thousand years, and turn into live-oak posts!" He brought his pirogue alongside of their skiff, and shook hands with them, laughing till his long, wavy white beard quivered like grass in a wind. "You don't smoke, or drink wine, or do any filthy thing like that, do you?" "No, sir," said both boys at once. "That's business; that's the way to begin life. You'll do for my boys, I think; and when I introduce you to the Ocala Boy, you're going to have a glorious time. He's a jolly chap, that Ocala Boy." "We shall be glad to see him," ventured Rhett, though his voice was not just right; "we've heard a good deal about him." They pulled close to the bank, and held on to some boughs while they chatted. Hiram, in spite of a certain doubtful feeling in the hearts of the boys, won upon Louis and Rhett. He...
