"There's somebody here," whispered Noel, as he grasped Dennis by the arm and all three fugitives halted.
"Yis, sor, that's true for shure," replied Dennis in a whisper so loud that Noel warningly again grasped his arm.
It was too dark to enable the boys to determine just how many were in the waiting band. It was believed, however, that there were at least twenty. Perhaps there was another little force also approaching. The two boys in blue were caught between the two bands, and their only way of escape was through the swamp. A hasty inspection, however, convinced both boys that escape in that way was impossible. Even in the dim light they were able to see the water which covered the soft ground, and it was plain that if either of them should step upon the perilous footing he might be in greater danger than he would be compelled to face if he should be caught between the two little bands of their enemies.
Abruptly the lanky negro broke in upon the silence by calling loudly, "Is dat yo', Massa Little Ben Fowler?"
There was silence for a moment, and then the reply came from some one whom the boys could not distinguish from the body of the men. "Is that yo' all, Long John?"
"Yas, suh. Yas, suh."
"Are yo' alone?"
"No, suh. No, suh. Dere's two gen'lmen with me."
"Bring them out."
"Yas, suh. Yas, suh," repeated Long John, though he made his way so speedily to the more solid road that under other circumstances Noel might have laughed.