to. He won't mind the objectionable color, I reckon," spoke up Jerry.

The black man sat there, grinning from ear to ear. He could hardly
believe his hearing. These campers, whom he had at first feared were
there to drag him back to town, so that he might afford sport for the
young hotbloods, had turned out to be the only friends he had known for
many a day.

He tried to express his gratitude, but, of course, stumbled so that they
told him they were ready to take it all for granted.

When the meal was ready he ate until he could contain no more. Jerry
watched him with a queer expression on his face, and for once he realized
how near starvation a human being may get at times.

At the same time, George was a bit uneasy. He kept looking around, as
though he feared lest others might appear who would not be so kindly
disposed toward him. Hence, after he had finished his supper, he showed a
disposition to depart, telling them that he had a shack in the swamp.

Frank did not attempt to hinder him, for he saw that the man could not
wholly get over his suspicion that there might be some trick back of this
generous hospitality. George had evidently been educated in the belief
that no one ever assisted a black man unless he had an ax to grind.

Before he went they gave him some bacon and a little can of ground
coffee. As Cousin Archie had supplied much more than they could ever use
on the trip, all of them thought they could easily afford to be a bit
generous, since the occasion had come to their very door, as it were.