“But they’s others, jest as I told you that night you fellers caught me at your boat. There’s the fellers up the creek what’s a-waitin’ this minute for us to come up with the goods.”
This was what Tom wanted to find out.
“Yes, of course,” he replied; “they’ll be disappointed, won’t they? I suppose they expect to get the goods well inland before morning?”
“No, not exactly; but they’d ’a’ got ’em hid into a little store they’ve got up there, so’s they could work ’em off up to Charleston or down to Savannah, little at a time, like. Howsomever, the game’s up now, and them what’s got all the profits out’n it’ll play pious an’ go scot free, while us fellers what’s done all the work an’ took all the risks has got to go to jail.”
A new thought suddenly struck Tom.
“You needn’t, if I’m not mistaken. Anyhow, there’s a chance for you that’s worth working for.”
“What’s the good o’ talkin’ that away? Ain’t I ketched long o’ the rest?”
“Yes, of course. I was only thinking—”
“What was you a-thinkin’?”