Noel followed obediently and did not speak until his guide had led him far within the sheltering woods that were growing on each side of the road.
The young soldier was not yet altogether convinced that his companion was to be relied upon. His experience with Long John had made him suspicious of the blacks. Throughout his boyhood he had never seen a colored man, and it had not been long before the time of his enlistment when he had beheld one for the first time.
The action of the powerful young negro with whom he was journeying, however, in a measure relieved his fears, and his plight was so desperate that he was aware that he must trust somebody for help. Night would soon be at hand and in the darkness his perils might be greatly increased.
At last, when a quarter of a mile or more had been covered by Noel and his companion, the young soldier stopped, and said, "What's your name?"
"Nigger Sam."
"Did you ever hear of Long John?"
"Yas, suh!" replied Sam, glancing suspiciously at his companion as he spoke. "What fo' yo' ask 'bout Long John?"
"I saw him back yonder."
"What fo' yo' see him?"
"Why, he led me into a trap. I thought I could trust him, but he took me along a corduroy road to the very place where a lot of the rebel soldiers were stationed."