hedge of fire had now burned itself
out; large gaps existed in the stockades, but portions still remained
standing, and would afford some protection to his men in case a sortie
had to be made. His chief object was to examine the ground which they
would have to traverse, should Mr Pemberton carry out his intention of
coming to their relief. He at last descended, and went round to each of
the windows, where he had posted a sentry to keep a look-out on the
movements of the rebels; then, feeling that he had done his duty, he
threw himself down on a cane sofa, to snatch for a short time the rest
he so much required.

The other inmates of the house, who had been kept awake all the night,
were dozing in their chairs or on their sofas; the men not on guard were
lying down on the ground; the children were in their cribs, watched over
by Martha. She had reserved some food for them, and they were in that
respect better off than any one else. The young ladies and Mrs Twigg
had positively refused to take more than their share. They were happily
also forgetting their troubles in sleep.

Weary as he was, Mr Ferris felt the dangerous position in which they
were placed too much to rest, and continued going from room to room,
looking out at each window, and occasionally mounting to the roof. He
was standing there, when he saw a single black advancing up the hill
from among the savages. He was unarmed, and carried in his hand a pole
with a large white flag waving from it. He evidently understood the use
of a flag of truce, and trusted to its being respected. He advanced
till he got within hearing distance of the house. He was a tall,
strongly built man, his features unusually hideous even for a negro. On
seeing Mr Ferris, he shouted at the top of his voice, "Will you gib in?
You see what we can do. We ask you to make friends."

"We shall be ready to do so on condition that you lay down your arms and
return to your duty," answered Mr Ferris.

The black laughed loud and hoarsely. "Do you know who I am?" he asked.

"No," answered Mr Ferris.

"Den I tell you--I Cudjoe. Some inside de house know me, and know dat I
no fool. Listen den. We go away and leave Massa Twigg--he good man--
and all de people alone on one 'dition, dat you gib up the oberseer and
let us hab him to do wid him as we like. Dat is our 'dition; 'cept it
and you safe. If not--listen, massa--you got one lily-white daughter,
and Massa Twigg him got wife