hich look just like that color.
Be careful of 'em."

"I--I don't believe I want to go any farther," faltered Grace, hanging
back.

"Oh, there's none along this trail!" the overseer hastened to assure
her. "It's only where there's not much travel. Just keep a sharp
lookout--that's all."

They went on in Indian file, for the path was narrow. As they penetrated
deeper into the interior the woods became more and more gloomy until
even brave Betty began to feel a bit doubtful as to the wisdom of
coming. But she knew Mr. Hammond could be trusted to see that no harm
came to them.

The path widened now and they came to a little clearing. On one edge of
it stood a hut before which was an old man--so old in fact that to the
outdoor girls he seemed like a wizened monkey.

"Mercy! Who's that?" whispered Mollie.

"An Indian," answered Mr. Hammond.

"An Indian?" queried Betty.

"Yes, one of the Seminoles. He's all right, and a friend of mine. Hello,
Ko-dah!" called Mr. Hammond, adding something in a sort of jargon, to
which the aged man replied. He seemed more like a negro than an Indian.

"He claims to be over a hundred years old," went on Mr. Hammond, as he
and the party passed through the clearing. "And he sure looks it. His
wife is nearly as old."

As they went on they heard ahead of them the not unpleasant strains of a
negro melody.

"What's that?" asked Grace, coming to a stop.

"We're near Belton's place," explained the foreman. "He keeps quite a
lot of hands in readiness, and they pass away the time singing and
eating until they're hired. I hope he has some good ones for us. The
oranges need picking quickly now."

A minute later the party emerged into a large clearing about which were
grouped many huts, in front of which, and lolling in the shade of some,
were a score or more of colored men. They set up a call for "Boss," as
Mr. Hammond came in sight.

"Howdy, Hammond!" greeted the labor contractor, as he came out of the
best-looking house in the clearing. "Why, it's the girls I hauled off
the sand bar!" he added, as he recognized Betty and her chums. "Did you
get home all right?"

"Yes, and we've come to do as you said, and hire some help for Mr.
Stonington," ventured Betty, blushing a bit at her boldness.

"Good!" exclaimed Mr. Belton. "I've got just the kind of pickers you
want, Hammond. Quick, cheerful lot of boys, that will work from sunrise
to sunset."

"That's what you always say," laughed Mr. H