They skirted around the fringe of willows until they found the regular landing-place of the robbers. Seeing it, Sol whistled.
“By Judas!” he declared, using his strongest oath, “hyar’s a reg’lar, beaten trail leading up from the water. Now I know thar’s been —— ter pay in these ’ere woods. Ef this air don’t say thar’s a band of rascals hyar, I’m a skunk. Look out, boys, look out, and mind yer eye!”
The dug-out, propelled by a few vigorous strokes, shot up to the landing, while Sol abandoned his paddle and took up his gun. The negro, he saw, was wild with nervous fear. His lips were of a dull, gray, leaden hue, and worked convulsively; his cheeks were sucked in; his ears went back and forth like those of a mule—at any other time a most ludicrous spectacle; while his eyes rolled and dilated, eagerly peering at the willows; Cato the Creeper was very alarmed and excited.
The boat touched the bank, and the occupants, with splendid nerve and coolness, kept their seats, with presented weapons, while the negro beat the air with his hands like a helpless idiot. But still the willows nodded and waved in the gentle breeze, still the men on shore covered them, and still there was no noise, no motion.
Sol rose and stepped ashore, then sinking on his knees beckoned the others to follow. They did so, and soon were all ashore, in a group, with the frightened negro in their midst, behind their bodies for protection.
Several minutes passed in silence, then as all was still, Sol ordered Cato to go back for more men. The negro, somewhat cooler, and thinking to escape when he reached the other shore, gladly availed himself of the opportunity, and getting into the canoe, paddled lustily away. He took the channel this time and was near the shore, congratulating himself upon his lucky escape, when the voice of Sol came to his ears like a knell:
“Bring Cato back with you, boys—don’t let him run off!”
So the negro was forced to sit in the boat while its human cargo was being loaded, though seized again with terror.
The boat was filled, and Cato was about to paddle slowly away when a voice rung out, where they knew not, only it was quite near.
“You had better go back!”