“I won’t tell a t’ing! not a word, sah, hope ter die if I do!” went on Blumpo, still keeping his face down.
He was afraid that if he looked at the hermit he would be bewitched.
“Blumpo, get up!” said Harry, sharply. “Don’t make a fool of yourself. This gentleman is not going to hurt you. Stand up and be a man.”
Thus spoken to, the homeless boy arose slowly to his feet. His knees were still trembling, and he needed but little incentive to take to his heels.
“I have not seen a colored or an Indian boy in years,” went on the old hermit. “If you are an honest boy let me take your hand.”
He advanced, and with his knees knocking together Blumpo put out his hand and looked the old man in the face.
The next instant the hermit gave a leap back in profound astonishment.
“Abraham! As sure as the sun shines! And I thought he was dead!”
