efully repose. And
for food he need not be hard up, nor has he been for a single day. If
it come to that, he can easily entrap an alligator, and make a meal off
the tenderest part of its tail; this yielding a steak which, if not
equal to best beef, is at all events eatable.

But Jupe has never been driven to diet on alligator meat too much of
musky flavour. His usual fare is roast pork, with now and then broiled
ham and chicken; failing which, a _fricassee_ of 'coon or a _barbecue_
of 'possum. No lack of bread besides--maize bread--in its various
bakings of "pone", "hoe cake," and "dodger." Sometimes, too, he
indulges in "Virginia biscuit," of sweetest and whitest flour.

The question is called up, Whence gets he such good things? The 'coon
and 'possum may be accounted for, these being wild game of the woods,
which he can procure by capture; but the other viands are domestic, and
could only be obtained from a plantation.

And from one they are obtained--that of Ephraim Darke! How? Does
Jupiter himself steal them? Not likely. The theft would be attended
with too much danger. To attempt it would be to risk not only his
liberty, but his life. He does not speculate on such rashness, feeling
sure his larder will be plentifully supplied, as it has hitherto been--
by a friend.

Who is he?

A question scarce requiring answer. It almost responds to itself,
saying, "Blue Bill." Yes; the man who has kept the fugitive in
provisions--the faithful friend and confederate--is no other than the
coon-hunter.

Something more than bread and meat has Blue Bill brought to the swamp's
edge, there storing them in a safe place of deposit, mutually agreed
upon. Oft, as he starts forth "a-cooning," may he be observed with
something swelling out his coat-pockets, seemingly carried with
circumspection. Were they at such times searched, they would be found
to contain a gourd of corn whisky, and beside it a plug of tobacco. But
no one searches them; no one can guess at their contents--except Phoebe.
To her the little matter of commissariat has necessarily been made
known, by repeated drafts on her meat-safe, and calls upon her culinary
skill. She has no jealous suspicion as to why her scanty store is thus
almost daily depleted--no thought of its being for Brown Bet. She knows
it is for "poor Jupe," and approves, instead of making protest.

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT.

AN EXCURSION BY CANOE.

On that day when Dick Darke wa