a man cud see, the water was covered with the same. An' like so much porridge it was, slickin' along the bark of the canoe, stickin' like glue to the paddles. It 's many 's the time I shot the selfsame riffle before, and it 's many 's the time after, but niver a wink of the same have I seen. 'T was the sight of a lifetime."
"Do tell!" dryly commented Bettles. "D' ye think I 'd b'lieve such a yarn? I 'd ruther say the glister of light 'd gone to your eyes, and the snap of the air to your tongue."
"'T was me own eyes that beheld it, an' if Sitka Charley was here, he 'd be the lad to back me."
"But facts is facts, an' they ain't no gittin' round 'em. It ain't in the nature of things for the water furtherest away from the air to freeze first."
"But me own eyes"—
"Don't git het up over it," admonished Bettles, as the quick Celtic anger began to mount.
"Then yer not after belavin' me?"
"Sence you 're so blamed forehanded about it, no; I 'd b'lieve nature first, and facts."
"Is it the lie ye 'd be givin' me?" threatened Lon. "Ye 'd better be askin' that Siwash
