CHAPTER VIII.

NEW FRIENDS IN STRANGE PLACES.


Ralph opened his eyes at a moderately late hour on the ensuing morning,
and found Forrester in close attendance. He felt himself somewhat sore
from his bruises in falling, but the wound gave him little concern.
Indeed, he was scarcely conscious of it. He had slept well, and was not
unwilling to enter into the explanatory conversation which the woodman
began. From him he learned the manner and situation in which he had been
found, and was furnished with a partial history of his present
whereabouts. In return, he gave a particular account of the assault made
upon him in the wood, and of his escape; all of which, already known to
the reader, will call for no additional details. In reply to the
unscrupulous inquiry of Forrester, the youth, with as little hesitation,
declared himself to be a native of the neighboring state of South
Carolina, born in one of its middle districts, and now on his way to
Tennessee. He concluded with giving his name.

"Colleton, Colleton," repeated the other, as if reviving some
recollection of old time--"why, 'squire, I once knew a whole family of
that name in Carolina. I'm from Carolina myself, you must know. There
was an old codger--a fine, hearty buck--old Ralph Colleton--Colonel
Ralph, as they used to call him. He did have a power of money, and a
smart chance of lands and field-niggers; but they did say he was going
behindhand, for he didn't know how to keep what he had. He was always