"The idee exactly! one reason why I thought best to decline—though I didn't say so—was through the fear of hurting your feelings, Gravity—"
"Dat needn't trouble you; you kin go now, and I won't feel slighted."
"You've an advantage over us all, for you're so black that wherever you go you will carry the darkness with you, and the Injins will see nothing but so much shadow gliding along."
"Dat may all be, but s'pose dey should take a notion to fling their tomahawks into de shadder, what will become ob dis person?"
"If you are careful, you won't be hurt; if it wasn't for my weakness of dizziness, I would jump at the chance—"
"If I hear anymore such stuff," interrupted Mr. Brainerd, "I'll pitch you neck and heels out of here."
"Then I guess you won't hear any more," was the prudent thought of Habakkuk.
As the African was so willing to go, it was decided to permit him to make the attempt.
The head of the party based little hope on the venture of his servant, and indeed doubted whether they would ever see him again, but, for that matter, there was little choice between the situation of any one or two of them.
Calling Gravity to him, his employer said: