Meanwhile Ivy slept peacefully on, one little hand sticking to her
plump, molasses-smeared cheek, the other holding fast to her headless
doll. Beside her on the floor lay a tattered picture-book, a big bottle
half full of red shelled corn, and John Jay's most precious treasure, a
toy watch that could be endlessly wound up. He had heaped them all
beside her, hoping they would keep her occupied until his return, in
case she should waken earlier than usual.

The sun was well on its way to bed when the little hunters shouldered
their clubs, with a snake dangling from each one, and started for the
cabin.

"My! I didn't know it was so late!" exclaimed John Jay ruefully, as they
met a long procession of home-going cows. "Ain't it funny how soon
sundown gets heah when yo' havin' a good time, and how long it is
a-comin' when yo' isn't!"

A dusky little figure rose up out of the weeds ahead of them. "Land
sakes! Ivy Hickman!" exclaimed John Jay, dropping his snake in surprise.
"How did you get heah?"

Ivy stuck her thumb in her mouth without answering. He took her by the
shoulder, about to shake a reply from her, when Bud exclaimed, in a
frightened voice, "Law, I see Mammy comin'. Look! There she is now, in
front of Uncle Billy's house!"

Throwing away his club, and catching Ivy up in his short arms, John Jay
staggered up the path leading to the back of the house as fast as such a
heavy load would allow, leaving Brer Tarrypin far in the rear. Just as