As the bonfire flared and roared, they went scrambling up the ladder.
“Now,� said Black Mayo, “we’ll go to Peter Jim’s cabin and borrow all his buckets and tubs. We must fill them with water and have it ready.�
“Ready for what?� inquired Dick.
“I’ll show you presently,� said Black Mayo.
The wondering young folks carried out his instructions, and then sat around the old mine from which smoke poured as from a chimney.
All at once Dick again said sharply, “What’s that?� He looked down the wooded, rocky slope to the left. “I knew I saw somebody!� he exclaimed, and ran down the hill.
There was a rustle and stir in a clump of chinquapin bushes. The foliage parted and a black face peered out, a man’s frightened, pathetic old face. Suddenly a pair of bony black arms were thrust out wildly from behind, clutched the woolly head, and dragged it back. There was a violent struggle, and screeches and sobs and loud, excited talking.
“Oh, Dick, Dick! Come back!� Patsy screamed in terror.
For Dick had vanished in the thicket, the scene of that strange commotion. Mr. Osborne and David and Steve ran to find him and to see what was the matter.
Just then Dick reappeared, followed by an old negro man with a woman tugging at his coat tails. It was Isham and Lily Belle.