“Pa was drunk, like he was always drunk, and I lost sight of him right off. I tried to swim for my little brother, but I got swept under. Last thing I seen before the world went dark was Jim here swimmin’ like crazy for lil’ Ike.” The Duke looked at me and nodded. “Good nigger,” he said. “But you couldn’t save the boy, huh?” “Lawd knows I tried,” I said. “Paddle hit me in da head.” Huck cleared his throat. “Jim and I come up clingin’ to what was left of our raft. I lost my pa and my baby brother in a flash.” He contorted his face and offered what I thought was an unconvincing cry. It turned
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