"But people will be here looking. Is he up there?" asked the girl in
a whisper.

"No, he des lit out two hour ago, en he guv me dis" (showing the
money), "en say he see me agin. I'se feared he'n Chunk gwine off
togeder."

"Well, you don't know. Hide the money and declare you don't know
anything. I'll stand by you as far as I can."

As she hastened back she saw a Confederate soldier running toward
the house and Perkins limping after him as fast as possible.
Entering the rear door she heard the soldier demanding fiercely of
her uncle, "Where's that cursed nigger you call Chunk?"

"Whom are you addressing, sir?" asked Mr. Baron, indignantly.

"Well, see yere, boss," was the excited reply, "this ere ain't no
time fer standin' on nice words. That cursed nigger o' your'n took
the lieutenant's horse ter the run fer a drink, an one o' your'n
'long of him, en me en Perkins kyant find nary one of 'em."

"Yes, sir," added Perkins in great wrath, "we uns follered the hoof-
prints ter the run en inter the water, en there's no hoof-prints
comin' back. That infernal nigger has lit out with the two horses."

"Why don't you go after him then?" shouted Mr. Baron, distracted
with anger and accumulating perplexities. "He can't be far yet."