"DEY SAY YO' HAB HAWNS"
In his dilemma Noel turned once more to the colored man and hastily said, "Where are you going?"
"Noware. Noware, suh."
"But the rebel soldiers are ahead of you."
"Dey's mo' o' 'em behind me," declared Long John promptly.
"Do you know the way out of this swamp?"
For a moment the tall negro gazed intently down at Noel. In spite of his indifference, Long John was possessed of more intelligence than a first impression warranted. Noel was made somewhat uneasy by the intentness of the negro's inspection.
Apparently satisfied by what he had discovered in his own way, Long John said, "Yas, suh! I reckon I knows dis yeah swamp."