“Not there now, Caesar,” said Murray.
“Big house, Plantashum,” said the black sharply, and he pointed in quite another direction.
“Oh, at the plantation house?” said Murray.
“Yes, sah.”
“Call your fellows, then, to row the boat to where he is,” said the middy.
The black looked at him doubtfully.
“Boys run away, sah. ’Fraid massa take ’em sell to bad massa.”
“Oh no,” said Murray, reaching forward to pat the man upon the shoulder; but the poor fellow’s action told its own tale. He started violently, shrinking right away with a look of dread in his eyes. “There, don’t do that,” Murray continued, “I’m not going to hurt you;” and following the man he patted his shoulder softly, when the look of horror faded away, to give place to a faint smile, one which broadened into a grin.
“Massa no take and sell boys away?”
“No; tell them we come to set them free,” said Murray.