"Have you seen any Union soldiers around here?" he called as he came nearer.
Before he replied, the negro looked quickly into the face of Noel, and then with a smile said, "No, suh. I wish I had. I would like toe be inside the Union lines at dis bery minute. I reckon, too, yo' all would like toe be in there, too."
"That's what I would!" said Noel enthusiastically. "And you'll have to show me how to get there."
The black man hesitated a moment, and then said cordially, "The bes' thing fo' yo' will be fo' me toe take yo' all toe Aunt Katie."
"'Aunt Katie'?" inquired Noel, as he glanced once more apprehensively up and down the road. "Aunt Katie? Who is she?"
"Yo' come er long wif me and I'll done show yo'," replied the negro.
CHAPTER XVII
THE GUEST ROOM
The young negro at once led the way from the road, evidently fearing more for the safety of his companion than for his own.