“Ain’t afeerd; who can git me into trouble? Jus’ let me try de gold trick on ’em, an’ dey’ll be glad ’nough to cl’ar de track.”
“You haven’t told us what that gold trick is.”
“You’ll hab to wait now till I come back,” said Jim, as he knocked the ashes from his pipe, “takes some time to ’xplainify de science ob dat movement.”
With which information, he made his way to the mouth of the cavern, accompanied by George Inwood, who gave him a parting admonition.
“Be very careful, for some of these dogs may be loitering around, and waiting for the chance to cut you off.”
“I’ll be keerful, ob course; look out for yourselves, an’ don’t let anybody in till you knows who he am. Some ob dem darkeys may try dere tricks on you, an’ you can’t be too keerful.”
“You needn’t be afraid of my getting careless; you’re the one who needs the most advice.”
“O, I always keeps dark,” laughed the African, with which profound witticism, he turned the corner of the cave and disappeared. Inwood waited awhile at the opening of the passage, listening and watching, but only the murmur of the brook caught his ear, and he could see nothing but the dark wall of bank which shut out his view beyond, and above these, in the clear sky, floated the full moon. The hour and the surroundings were impressive, and he remained a long time in a kneeling position, lifting up his heart in silent communion with the only One who then saw and heard him.
When he returned, he found his younger brother somewhat apprehensive at his continued absence.