Epaminondas, at the first suggestion of conversation, had stopped paddling. He accepted with cheerfulness the improvised name. "Ben atter turkles, boss. But I 'ain't fin' none."
"What is the name of that young lady you have with you?"
"Gin," answered Epaminondas, with an even more extensive smile than before.
"The whole of it, I mean; I know there's more."
"Trufe, boss, der sholy is," responded Epaminondas, impressed by this omniscience. "Gin's wat dey calls her mosely; but Victoryne John Mungumry Gin—dat's de hull ob it. Victoryne en John Mungumry is folks wat her ma knew whar she come fum, up in Alabawm, en she wanted to membunce 'em someways, so she called Gin atter 'em. En Gin—dat's Virginny—wuz de name ob her daddy's folks, dey tole me."
"I am surprised that her family should allow Miss Montgomery to be out without her nurse," Lanse went on.
"She 'ain't got no nuss," Epaminondas answered. "En I hev to tote her mos' er der time, en she's hebby—she am dat! En so ter-day I 'lowed I'd rudder take her in de boat a wiles." He looked anxiously at Lanse as he made this explanation; he was a thin little fellow of about ten, and Miss Montgomery was decidedly solid.
"I'm inclined to think, my man, that you're out without leave; I advise you to go home as fast as you can. And mind you keep the boat straight."
"Yas, boss," answered Epaminondas, glad to escape, and plying his paddle again.
He gave a "Ki!" of delight as a silver coin fell at his feet. "Don't stop to pick it up now," said Lanse. "Go on with Miss Montgomery; restore her to her parents as soon as possible."