"Fine. And if you leave me your address, or that of your married daughter
up in Chattanooga, I promise to send you a copy later on, George."

"Oh! I'll do dat, marse, 'deed I will! Nebber hed my pictur' took yet. My
gal, she'll be sure surprised tuh see dat!" exclaimed the negro, still
grinning.

"Well, we had better go now. Are you sure you can paddle me around to
where the boat is tied up, George?"

"Easy as fallin' off'n a log, suh. Git dar in 'bout a hour er so." And
George dipped deeply, with the air of one who was accustomed to the
paddle.

Indeed, Will learned presently that he had a dugout canoe hidden near by,
and in which he was accustomed to navigate the intricate channels of the
great swamp. He had lived out here some time, and knew the place
thoroughly.

Will was sensible enough not to mention the fact that the sheriff and his
posse, together with the two bloodhounds, had passed along that morning.
Had he done so, the negro might have taken the alarm, and declined to
accompany him farther.

Things had turned out well, after all. If he had a faculty for tumbling
into a scrape, at least he was usually fortunate enough to get out again
all right.

Before the hour was really up they came out of the swamp, and in sight of