I sort o' pined arter the
child--meaning Miss Sybil, who was then about four years old. And,
moreover, it was fotch to me by a secret friend o' mine, as the child
was likewise a pining arter me. So I up and went straight home, and
walked right up before old marse, and took off my hat and told him as
how _I_ was willin' to forgive and forget, and let by-gones be by-gones
like a Christian gentleman, if he would do the same."

"And of course your master at once accepted such magnanimous terms."

"Who, _he_? Why, Marse Lyon! he looked jes as if he'd a-knocked me down!
Only, you see, the child--meaning Miss Sybil--was a sitting on his knee,
which, soon as ever she saw me, she ran to me, and clasped me round one
leg, and tried to climb up in my arms; which I took her up at once; and
old marster, he couldn't knock me down then, if it had been to have
saved his life."

"So peace was ratified."

"Yes, Marse Lyon! which I telled you all this here nonsense jes to let
you know how good I was at hiding and seeking. And, Marse! the horses
come home all right."

"They did! I am glad of that."

"This was the way of it being all right, sir! You see I knowed, when I
heard you were going to ride to this old church, as you couldn't get the
horses through this thicket, but would have to turn them loose, to find
their way home. And I knowed how if any other eyes 'cept mine saw them,
it would set people to axing questions. So I goes out to the road, and
watches till I sees 'em coming; when I takes charge of 'em, and gets 'em
into the stable quiet, and no one the wiser."

"Well done, Joe! But tell me, my good man, are we missed yet? Has any
one inquired for us?"

"Plenty has axed arter you both, Marse! But as no one but me and Capping
Pendulum knowed where you was gone, and as I locked your door, and took
the key, most of the folks still think as how Miss Sybil has gone to
bed, overcome by the ewents of the night, and as how you is a watching
by her, and a taking care of her."

"That also is well."

"But, Marse, how is Miss Sybil, and where is she?" inquired the faithful
servant, looking about himself.

"She is very much prostrated by fatigue and excitement, and is now
sleeping in the church."

"Thanks be to the Divine Marster as she _can_ sleep," said Joe,
reverently.

"And now," he continued, as he replaced it on his head, "I will kindle a
fire and make the coffee, and may be she may wake up by the time it is
ready."

"Ki