Suddenly, as they stood there in the bright morning sunlight, they heard a voice, seemingly far away in the forest, utter four words. The tone was singularly fierce and commanding, and they all recognized it as the Voice.
“Go back! go back!”
Immediately it was followed by a piercing scream from the pond near the ferry. This was followed by another, wilder and shriller, and in the unmistakable tones of the negro. With one accord they rushed down to the landing.
There they saw Cato paddling for dear life toward them from the center of the lake. His manner was that of one in extreme terror, and with rolling eyes and open mouth he worked with might and main. He was flying from some pursuer, no doubt, as he frequently glanced back nervously. It did not take him long to reach the bank, and as the bow of the craft touched the land, he sprung out and stood regarding the other shore, all on fire.
“What is it, Cato? What’s the matter?” and many others were the questions put to him. He did not at once answer, but, clasping his hands, stood trembling. At length he spoke:
“Oh, mars’rs, sech a ter’ble sight! Oh, ob all de sights dis niggah eber see’d, dat was de wust. Oh, mars’rs, dar’s tr’uble comin’, tr’uble comin’! Dead-Man’s Forest am alibe with sperrits.”
“Come! out with it!” commanded Sol. “Ef thar’s any thing wrong we ought ter know it. It mout be of use ter us.”
“Oh, sar, dare was de biggest man—de daddy ob de world, shore. He had a big bunch on his back—”
“The hunchback!” interrupted Walter.
“Did yer see him, Walt?”