"George, what are you afraid of?" asked Hayward, speaking to the negro.
"I'se most afeerd of Cap'n Nettleton, massa," replied the negro, as he opened his mouth and grinned.
"Did he hurt you very much?"
"Considerable much, massa cap'n. Golly, I thought the gun crack de skull, sure."
"But you are not afraid of the rebels, are you, George?"
"Not when I'se good way off!"
"Captain," said the adjutant, "we shall have trouble with this fellow. Had we not better send him back?"
"Perhaps it would be the best course."
"Oh! massa cap'n, don't send dis chile back alone. De rebels catch him, sure. And den, O Lord golly, dey whip me to strings, sure!"
"So they would. The best thing you can do is to keep quiet. We shall conceal our horses when we arrive within a few miles of the camp, and you must remain with them. If you do so, you will be safe, but if you attempt to return alone, you will be caught and whipped to death."