“No, he only blow de fire,” she reiterated, with a grin.
“Any one been to see me, mammy?”
“Only dat Mexican gemmen; dat gemmen been here befo’ who take yo’ message about de troops; when dey go from New Orleans; how many dey am!”
“You know that, auntie?” he asked quickly. “You know that I––”
“Yes, honey,” she answered, shaking her head. “Yo’ be berry careful, Mar’s’r Edward.”
“What did he want?” said the land baron, quickly.
“He gib me dis.” And the crone handed her visitor a slip of paper on which a few words were written. “What dat mean?”
“It means I am going away, mammy,” pushing back his chair.
“Gwine away!” she repeated. “When’s yo’ gwine?”
“To-morrow; perhaps to-night even; down the river, auntie!” Rising and surveying himself in a mirror.