so as we could talk it over."

"I wish so too, Pete."

"It aren't half so pleasant hoeing along with the blacks as it is with
you, zir."

"Thank you, Pete," said Nic, smiling to himself.

"I aren't got nought agen 'em. They can't help having black skins and
them thick lips, and they're wonderful good-tempered. Just big
children, that's what they are. Fancy a man being a zlave and ready to
zing and dance 'cause the moon zhines, ready to go out hunting the coons
and 'possums as if there was nothing the matter."

"It's their nature to be light-hearted," said Nic.

"Light-hearted, zir? Why, there's one o' the gang along with me as
allus seems as if you were tickling him. Only to-day he drops hisself
down and rolls about in the hot sun, and does nothing but laugh, just
because he's happy. Why, I couldn't laugh now if I tried."

"Wait, Pete; perhaps you may again some day."

"I want to laugh to-morrow night, zir."

"What?"

"When we've got a couple o' guns aboard that boat, and we're going down
the river," whispered Pete excitedly. "I can laugh then."

"We couldn't do it, Pete."

"We could, zir, if we zaid we would."

"There is the risk of that man watching us and telling."

"He'd better!" growled Pete. "Look here, zir; let's have no more
shilly-shallying. Say you'll go to-morrow night, and risk it."

"Why not wait for a good opportunity?"

"'Cause if we do it mayn't never come."

"But food--provisions?" said Nic, whose heart was beginning to throb
with excitement.

"Eat all we can to-morrow, and chance what we can get in the woods, or
go without a bit. I'd starve two days for the sake of getting away.
Will you risk it, zir?"

For answer Nic stretched out his hand and grasped Pete's, having his own
half-crushed in return.

"That settles it, then," whispered Pete hoarsely. "Zave a bit of
bread-cake if you can. May come in useful. To-morrow night, then."

"To-morrow night."

"Are you two going to keep on talking till to-morrow morning?" growled a
deep voice. "Zum on us want a bit o' sleep. Look here, mates; I'm
going to speak to the gaffer to-morrow, to ax if them two chatterin' old
women can't be put somewheres else."

Nic turned cold, and Pete uttered a deep sigh, for if this were done
they would, he knew, have to begin making their plans again.

But hope cheered them both as the next day dawned and passed on without
incident. Humpy Dee's was evidently only an empty threat, and a