"I cannot express our gratitude to you, Sir," said Mr. West: "I am
glad you landed the devils in jail."

"I am only thankful I was there when it happened," replied Percy. "I
am sure no man could have done less. I have promised to return to
town in the morning to serve as legal witness in the case. I hope
your daughter need not be called upon for that."

"Probably that will not be necessary," Mr. West replied.






CHAPTER X

THE SLAVE AND THE FREEDMAN





THE others had retired but Percy and his host continued their
conversation far into the night.

"There are almost as great variations among the negroes as among
white people," Mr. West was saying. "To a man like Wilkes who was
born and raised here on the farm, I would entrust the protection of
my wife and children as readily as to any white man. He has been