The
sight of the old darky carried them back across the sea to the home of
Hal's Virginia uncle. They forgot their danger for a moment, gazed at
each other and broke into a laugh.
The old negro looked at them in surprise, and with ruffled dignity. He
placed the water and bread upon the table, and drawing himself up,
pointed to them and then commanded:
"Essen!"
It was too much for the two lads and they broke into another loud guffaw.
"Well, what do you think of that!" exclaimed Chester. "Here's what looks
like an old plantation negro, and he speaks German."
"Funniest thing I ever heard," gasped Hal between bursts of laughter.
At their words, an expression of amazement passed over the old
negro's face.
"Lawdy! Lawdy!" he exclaimed, a wide grin spreading itself over his
features; "if dese two chilluns ain't 'Mericans," and advancing toward
them he demanded:
"What yo'al doin' hyah? Dey tol' me dey dun captured fo' spies!"
Hal explained briefly.
The old negro rolled his eyes in gaping wonder at the recital.
"Can't you help us, uncle?" asked Chester, as Hal completed his story.
Frightened, the old darky looked around; then began slowly to back toward
the door of the cell, just beyond which stood the line of soldiers.
"Yo'al jes' wait," he spoke in a hoarse whisper. "Ol' Uncle Billy'll see
what he c'n do."
He backed out of the cell as he finished and the door clanged behind him.
"It seems that we have at least one friend," remarked Hal, after Uncle
Billy had gone.
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