“Naw. Just left her in dat hole awhile,� said Isham. “She don’t know yore name or nomernation. An’ ’fore folks find her, you’ll be gone.�
Cæsar thought it over. “Well,� he agreed. “If she stays thar two-three days—— Le’s take a look ’round to make shore thar ain’t no way she c’n climb out.�
“Thar wa’n’t nothin’ but de ladder, an’ you done took it out,� said Isham.
“Le’s make shore. If she come here to de openin’, folks mought hear her.�
Cæsar, followed by Isham and Solomon Gabe, went down the tunnel toward the pit.
Anne clutched Dick’s arm. “They’ll miss me and find us here,� she whispered. “Let’s get out. Let’s run.�
“Too near. Not time enough. Sh-sh!� Dick answered hurriedly.
Even then the negroes were coming back, in great excitement.
“Who put dat ladder thar? Who got her out?� Isham was saying wildly over and over.
“Come on!� Cæsar was urging, between oaths. “We got to ketch her ’fore she gits to de Village. Hit’s her life now; or mine!�