No one noticed this remark, and the negro was obliged to rest satisfied with what he had obtained.
As night came on, the savages stretched themselves upon the earth and left the prisoners to themselves. Each was securely fastened. Leland was within a few feet of Zeb, yet he concluded to wait until all were asleep before he ventured to hold converse with him.
At length when the night had considerably advanced, and the heavy breathing of the savages showed that slumber had at last settled upon them, George turned his head so that he faced the negro, and abruptly asked:
"Zeb, what do you know of my sister?"
"Noffin'!" returned the negro, earnestly.
"Were you not taken off together?"
"At fust we was; but dey took her one way and me anoder." He then proceeded to narrate all the circumstances which had occurred to him, since the burning of the house, in his own characteristic way.
"I am afraid you will soon have your last adventure," said Leland.
"Gorra! does you s'pose dat dey'd dare to shake a stick at me when I's mad."
"I think they were engaged at that when I came up."