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Miss Lou by Edward Payson Roe
page 23 of 424 (05%)
pooh-poohed at what he termed "temporary reverses," and his immunity
from disturbance had confirmed his belief that the old order of
things could not materially change. True, some of his slaves had
disappeared, but he had given one who had been caught such a lesson
that the rest had remained quiet if not contented.

The news brought by his overseer became therefore more disturbing
than the strange and preposterous conduct of his niece, and he had
demanded excitedly, "What on earth's the matter, Perkins?"

"Well, sir, fur's I kin mek out, this very plantation's been p'luted
by Yankee soldiers this very evenin'. Yes, sir."

"Great heavens! Perkins," and Mr. Baron sprang from his chair, then
sank back again with an expression suggesting that if the earth
opened next it could not be worse.

"Yes, sir," resumed Perkins, solemnly, "I drawed that much from
Jute. He seen 'em hisself. I noticed a s'pressed 'citement en talk
in the quarters this evenin', an' I follered hit right up an' I ast
roun' till I pinned Jute. He was over the fur side of the run
lookin' fur a stray crow, an' he seen 'em. But they was bein' chased
lively. Mad Whately--beg pardon--Mr. Madison was arter them with
whip and spur. Didn't yer hear a crack of a rifle? I did, and
reckoned it was one o' the Simcoe boys out gunnin', but Jute says
hit was one o' our men fired the shot, en that they chased the Yanks
to'erds the big woods. They was all mounted en goin' it lickity
switch. The thing that sticks in my crop isn't them few what Mr.
Madison chased, but the main body they belongs to. Looks as ef
there's goin' to be a raid down our way."
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