Mason looked at him with heavy eyes.
"His guilt would do nothing to prove her innocent; and she, the woman who was my wife, had no share in this guilt; but the disgrace will fall on her. She believed herself a widow."
"And was in a mighty hurry to get clear of the name," muttered Rice, under his breath.
Mason did not hear him, but had relapsed into the pain of his thoughts. Meantime, Jube had come slowly down from the apple tree, and stood before them, smiling and softly rubbing his hands. This cheerful unconsciousness of every thing but joy, at seeing his best friends, in the negro, was a new pang to Mason. He spoke kindly to the poor fellow, and that was all. In a moment he had relapsed into gloom again. Paul pulled Jube by his garments, and drew him on one side. When the two came back Jube's face was sombre like the rest. He could not comprehend the entire case, but knew that some wrong had been done to his benefactor, and this wounded his heart to the core.
Rice came closer to Mason, and drew him aside.
"Captin, will it make you happier if I let this villain go, and never say a word about it?"
Mason started.
"I don't know, Rice. I am so bewildered nothing seems real; not even my child there."
"I can search him out. He's in this country, that I feel sure about. They must be living together somewhere, either in York State or——"
Mason started as if an adder had stung him.