"You may be," replied he, quickly, "but still, that is no reason why
you should not let me have some water. Did I ever prevent you from
having water?"

"You never had to fetch it for me," I rejoined, "or you would not
have taken the trouble. What trouble would you take for me, if I were
blind now, and not you? I should become of no use to you, and you
would leave me to die. You only let me live that you might make me
work for you, and beat me cruelly. It's my turn now--you're the boy,
and I'm the master."

The reader must remember that I did not know the meaning of the word
"boy"; my idea of it was, that it was in opposition to "master," and
boy, with me, had the same idea as the word "slave."

"Be it so," replied he, calmly. "I shall not want water long."

There was a quietness about Jackson which made me suspect him, and
the consequence was, that although I turned into my bed-place, which
was on the ground at the side of the cabin opposite to his, I did not
feel inclined to go to sleep, but remained awake, thinking of what
had passed. It was towards morning when I heard him move; my face
being turned that way, I had no occasion to stir to watch his
motions. He crept very softly out of his bed-place towards me,
listening, and advancing on his knees, not more than a foot every ten
seconds. "You want me in your grasp," thought I, "come along," and I
drew my American knife from its sheath, without noise, and awaited
his approach, smiling at the surprise he would meet with. I allowed
him to come right up to me; he felt the side of my bed, and then