Then Captain Letcher asked him, jocosely, “What were you doing in the canal, Jim?”

“I was just taking my morning bath,” answered the boy, in the same vein.

“You’ll do,” said the captain, struck by the boy’s coolness.

Six hours passed, and James’ “trick” was over.  He and his mules were both relieved from duty.  Both were allowed to come on board the boat and rest for a like period, while the other driver took his place on the tow-path.

“Well, Jim, how do you like it as far as you’ve got?” asked the captain.

“I like it,” answered the boy.

“Shall you be ready to take another bath to-morrow morning?” asked his cousin, slyly.

“I think one bath a week will be sufficient,” was the answer.

Feeling a natural interest in his young cousin, Amos Letcher thought he would examine him a little, to see how far his education had advanced.  Respecting his own ability as an examiner he had little doubt, for he had filled the proud position of teacher in Steuben County, Indiana, for three successive winters.

“I suppose you have been to school more or less, Jim?” he said.

“Oh, yes,” answered the boy.

“What have you studied?”

James enumerated the ordinary school branches.  They were not many, for his acquirements were not extensive; but he had worked well, and was pretty well grounded as far as he had gone.

CHAPTER V.

An important conversation.

“I’ve taught school myself,” said Captain Letcher, complacently.  “I taught for three winters in Indiana.”

James, who, even then, had a high opinion of learning, regarded the canal-boat captain with increased respect.

“I didn’t know that,” he answered, duly impressed.

“Yes, I’ve had experience as a teacher.  Now, if you don’t mind, I’ll ask you a few questions, and find out how much you know.  We’ve got plenty of time, for it’s a long way to Pancake Lock.”

[Illustration:  Conference with Dr. Robinson]

“Don’t ask me too hard questions,” said the boy.  “I’ll answer the best I know.”

Upon this Captain Letcher, taking a little time to think, began to question his young cousin in the different branches he had enumerated.  The questions were not very hard, for the good captain, though he had taught school in Indiana, was not a profound scholar.

James answered every question promptly and accurately, to the increasing surprise of his employer.

The latter paused.

“Haven’t you any more questions?” asked James.

“No, I don’t think of any.”

“Then may I ask you some?”

“Yes, if you want to,” answered the captain, rather surprised.

“Very well,” said James.  “A man went to a shoemaker and bought a pair of boots, for which he was to pay five dollars.  He offered a fifty-dollar bill, which the shoemaker sent out and had changed.  He paid his customer forty-five dollars in change, and the latter walked off with the boots.  An hour later he ascertained that the bill was a counterfeit, and he was obliged to pay back fifty dollars in good money to the man who had changed the bill for him.  Now, how much did he lose?”