“And Black Mayo says they can fly a thousand miles. Did you ever see a pigeon fly a thousand miles, Mr. Tavis?�
“I never went a thousand miles myself,� Mr. Tavis answered.
“I never did neither,� said Jake; “and I don’t believe no pigeon ever did.�
Black Mayo now came up the porch steps, greeting his neighbors cordially.
“Hope your ‘rheumatiz’ is better, Mr. Tavis. Hey, Pete! Jake! How are folks at home? and your crops? Ah, Dick! You are the boy I was looking for. Here is the pigeon—a fine fellow he is—that I want you to take this afternoon for a three- or four-mile flight.�
“Good! I was just starting,� said Dick. “What are you going to do with that other bird, Cousin Mayo?�
“I’m going to send it to Richmond.�
“To Richmond! What for?� asked Jake Andrews.
“To be set free there and fly back here, as a part of its training.�
“Cousin Mayo——� began Dick.