The King of Mississippi

Fred swam for the bank. He could see a small raft, a man, and a boy. As he approached the bank, the man disappeared, and the boy eyed him warily.

"Hello, boy," said Fred. "Could you tell me where I am?"

"Yes, sir," he said with a nineteenth century Missouri twang that the author will not attempt to duplicate. "You're on the bank of the Mississippi River. You ain't never been to school, have you? I think that you would have larned that in school."

"Uh, no. I am not from around here." Fred held out his hand. "I am Lord Fred, a knight of Allaria. And I have no idea of where I am."

The boy shook Fred's hand. The nice points of honorifics and address were not part of the boy's life experience. "Mister Lord Fred, I'm Huck. Huck Finn. You ain't like one of those knights, like King Arthur?"

Fred did not correct the boy. "I am a knight, but as I have said, I am a stranger here. I have never heard of King Arthur. Is he the King of Mississippi?"

1. Huck responds.
2. Fred is startled by a steamboat whistle.

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