"Yas, suh! Yas, suh!" said Sam, manifestly relieved. "Dat's des' what Long John is er doin'. He's playing tricks on the Yankee soldiers all de time. Little Ben Fowler des' used him lak I use de decoy when I shoots ducks."
"How do I know you are not another one like Long John?"
"Because I'se a Yankee."
"You're a what?" demanded Noel.
"I'se workin' wif de Yankees. I des' made up my mind dey was de bes' friends what I got. When a lot ob men leave home and come 'way off down yere jes' toe set de niggers free, I done make up my min' dat I'd des' do all I could fo' 'em."
"Where are you going now?"
"I reckon I'm goin' toe tote you toe Aunt Katie's."
"You know I'm a Union soldier, don't you?"
"I reckon I does. Leastwise I suspected so when I first heerd yo' talk. If yo' all will tell me how yo' says de word ob dat animal what gibes milk, den I'll sho'ly know."
"What do you mean?" inquired Noel sharply.