rror; for how he had
approached no one could have said, but the planter suddenly came up with
a gun over his shoulder, and stood looking on as, with a quick movement,
Pete snatched at the loaf and thrust it under one arm.

"Hullo!" said the man quietly as he looked from one to the other; "where
are the dogs?"

"I shut 'em up, father, so as they shouldn't hurt these two poor men."

"An' s'pose these two poor men wanted to hurt you; what then?"

"But they didn't, father," said the girl, as the mother stood shivering.
"They were hungry, and only wanted something to eat."

"Yes, that's right, master," said Pete stoutly. "We shouldn't hurt no
one."

"Let's see," said the planter; "I've seen you both before. My neighbour
brought you up months ago."

"Yes," said Nic firmly; "but he had no right to detain us as slaves."

"Humph! S'pose not," said the planter, glancing sharply from one to the
other. "So you're both runaways?"

"We are trying for our liberty," replied Nic, who was well upon his
guard; but the man's reply disarmed him.

"Well, it's quite nat'ral," said the planter, with a chuckle. "Hot work
hoeing the rows, eh? Took the boat, I s'pose, and rowed down?"

"Yes," said Pete gruffly.

"Hungry too, eh?"

"Yes," said Pete again.

"Course you would be. Quite nat'ral. They've give you a bit to eat, I
see. Well, then, you'd better come and sit down out o' the sun and eat
it, and then be off, for your overseer won't be long before he's down
here after you. He's a sharp un, Master Saunders, aren't he?"

"Yes; he's sharp enough," said Pete quietly.

"He'll be down after you with his dogs, and then, if he catches you,
there'll be a big row and a fight, and I don't want nothing o' that
sort, my lads. Come on, and bring your bread and meat in here.--Ann, my
gal, get 'em a pitcher o' cool, fresh water."

"Yes, father," said the girl; and, as the planter turned off to lead the
way, Nic caught the lass's eyes; for she began to make quick movements
of her lips, and her eyes almost spoke as she pointed towards the river
and signed to them to go.

Nic gave her an intelligent nod, and followed Pete after the planter
into the great, barn-like place which had been their prison for the
night when they were there before; but as he passed the door he noticed
the great wooden bar turning upon a bolt, and fully realised that the
girl's signs were those of warning, for treachery was meant.

"Nice and cool in h