Yet, after all, suppose Nick was not a friend. However, such, a supposition was heterodox; every slave must desire freedom; a slave who does not wish to be free is an impossibility.
"Who were the soldiers who rode by just now?"
"I dunno, mahsa."
"Then, why did you hide from them?"
"Who, me?"
"Yes; why did you run and hide?"
"De s'caze I dunno who dey is."
This was very simple; but it did not relieve the complication. I must be the first to declare myself.
"Were they not--" I checked myself in time, I was going to say rebels, but thought better of it; the word would declare my sympathies. I was not so ready, after all.
"W'at dat you gwine to say, mahsa?"