"All right."

"Of all fools," said the Captain. "I'll give you fifteen dollars."

"I do' want it."

"Well, your girl's going, anyway. I don't blame her for leaving such a
fool as you are."

Gideon turned and looked at him.

"The camp is going to be moved up on this plantation, and there will
be a requisition for this house for officers' quarters, so I'll see
you again," and Captain Griswold went his way.

Martha going! Martha going! Gideon could not believe it. He would not.
He saw her, and she confirmed it. She was going as an aid to the
nurses. He gasped, and went back to mind the women-folks.

They did move the camp up nearer, and Captain Griswold came to see
Gideon again, but he could get no word from him, save "I'm goin' to
stay," and he went away in disgust, entirely unable to understand such
obstinacy, as he called it.

[Illustration: "'IT'S FREEDOM, GIDEON.'"]

But the slave had his moments alone, when the agony tore at his breast
and rended him. Should he stay? The others were going. He would soon
be free. Every one had said so, even his mistress one day. Then Martha
was going. "Martha! Martha!" his heart called.