Immediately the singing stopped, and one of the negroes answered,

"Some folkses from de Norf, Marse Owl, an' Cap'n Johnsin, an' me,
an' Homer, an' Virgil, an' Pete."

"What does he mean by that?" asked Mr. Elmer of the captain.

"Oh," answered he, "it's one of their superstitions that they'll
have bad luck if they don't answer an owl politely when he asks
'Who's there?' and give the names of all the party, if they know
them."

Soon after this all hands sought their blankets, good-nights were
said, the fire died down, and all was quiet in the camp, though
several times some sleepy negro roused himself sufficiently to
answer the owl's repeated question of "Who's there?"

It must have been nearly midnight when the camp was startled by a
crash, a series of smothered cries, and a loud splashing in the
water. It was evident that something serious had happened, but
what it was no one could make out in the darkness.





CHAPTER VII.

ARRIVAL AT THE NEW HOME.