Raymond S. Spears

Name: The Way of the Mississippi — 5. A Favor to a River Pirate
Author: Raymond S. Spears

The Way of the Mississippi — 5… (1922)

Summary

“The Way of the Mississippi — 5. A Favor to a River Pirate”, published in 1922, is a work by Raymond S. Spears. It explores elements such as Maiton, Toskin and bunk.

Quotes from The Way of the Mississippi — 5… (Raymond S. Spears)

Raymond S. Spears, The Way of the Mississippi — 5… (1922)

“ Realism—he should now never lack for the gaunt, livid truth of a man's physical exhaustion, and, he knew, if he ever drew a picture of the Mississippi, it would contain the most careful, exact kind of drawing, but it would also contain the subtlety of atmosphere and the spirit of mystery—no matter how much he would put into any breadth of canvas, or spread of paper, there would lurk in and under and around his subject the shadow that is so much more than substance, the suggestion that is far more than the mere lines and colors. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Raymond S. Spears, The Way of the Mississippi — 5… (1922)

“ When a man has won such a decisive victory over himself, he may count on a thousandfold greater strength—perhaps an utter calm—in whatever emergency may arise to try him. He may even go into the inevitable peril that becomes irresistible attack. He may die, but with unflinching steadfastness since he has been prepared for that by an agony of terror, long since met and overcome.
Toskin still felt the brooding menace of the river night; he was wholly conscious of the possibilities of the dark, of the murder shanty boat, of the unseen ”

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Source: Wikisource

Raymond S. Spears, The Way of the Mississippi — 5… (1922)

“ Almost unconsciously he sketched that bell in one corner of the cabin, but afterward, looking at it, he knew that if he never made another sketch of the river—that bell showed how much he understood and how far he had come in knowing whereof he longed to speak.
Swinging a canvas hammock across the cabin, Toskin rolled up in a blanket and went sound to sleep. In the morning something awakened him, and opening his eyes, he found himself looking up into the face of the man he had dragged out of the eddy. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Raymond S. Spears, The Way of the Mississippi — 5… (1922)

“ As before, Maiton kept covert eye on the bunk, as though he would be ready should it rise up and fly at him. On the other hand, catching another glimpse of the picture on the easel, he shied at it, too, while Toskin regarded him with the amusement of a man who has become well rid of his own fright.
"You do not like my cabin boat?" Toskin suggested.
"Just so," Maiton admitted, sitting gingerly in the rocking chair to which his host beckoned. "I fear no man—but the devil's own— Law me!" ”

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Source: Wikisource

Raymond S. Spears, The Way of the Mississippi — 5… (1922)

“ Toskin smiled. "Come in and we'll have a cup of coffee and breakfast—what say?"
"Yas, suh, but—that cabin. Ho, law! Do yo'-all b'lieve in ghosts?"
"Believe in ghosts?" Toskin laughed. "Why, yes—after a fashion. I'd hate a lot not to believe in them, you know. Take a real, nice, good-natured ghost, now, and he's lots of company."
"Sho, sho!" Maiton exclaimed, and then, grinning wryly, stepped lightly the length of the cabin, swinging wide from the bunk, and working in the kitchen to help make the breakfast which both of them needed. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Raymond S. Spears, The Way of the Mississippi — 5… (1922)

“ It had been a small price to pay for what he had gained during that awful night of realities! Through the years his agitation, his fear, his almost lost fight with the cowardice that is every man’s trial would stand with him. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Raymond S. Spears, The Way of the Mississippi — 5… (1922)

“ Maiton said stoutly. "How'd I know him?"
"That is none of my business." Toskin shook his head with sudden discretion. "I believe a man should mind his own business."
"That's more'n many a softpaw gets to know. 'Tis a wise man who knows what isn't bis business. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Raymond S. Spears, The Way of the Mississippi — 5… (1922)

“ Come daylight when yo' fished me out. Les' look out."
He went on the bow deck and looked around. Toskin stood in the doorway watching him as he looked up the chute, and to the left across the main river.
"Yas, suh, I floated twenty miles, strangeh. Jes' floatin', lyin' on my back all paralyzed, my haid throwed back, down reach 'n' bend, down crossin' an' chute, an'—hit were here yo' drug me out? I 'membeh seein' a light, an' feelin' a shanty boat hull, hookin' my fingehs into the strake crack. Sho! Ol' Mississip' brung me hyar to this bo't—a daid man's bo't! ”

Raymond S. Spears

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Quotes from The Way of the Mississippi — 5… (Raymond S. Spears)

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