Soon they were again whirling through a semi-level country on their way
to the South Carolina line. The corn and cotton fields increased in
size, the plantation houses grew larger and began to have stately lawns
and groves of woodland about them. The log houses seemed to be mostly
inhabited by negroes. Ralph finished his skylights, then assisted Mr.
Quigg in getting dinner. The afternoon wore slowly away; then they ate
a cold supper, washed down by some warm coffee. The train moved
haltingly, having to wait at sidings for other trains that had the
right of way. Night came, and Ralph took a blanket and lay down for a
nap, having not yet "caught up with his sleep," as he said to the
artist.

Mr. Quigg lighted a lamp and sat down over a novel. Ralph slumbered on
with his bundle for a pillow.

Once, when he wakened for a moment, he saw as in a dream, the strange
inside of the car with the photographer quietly reading; then he
dropped off again.

The next thing he was conscious of was being pulled into a sitting
position, and hearing a voice in his ear calling:

"Hello there! Wake up! Chickens are crowing for day!"




CHAPTER VI.

Ralph in Columbia.