"They were here, as I thought," said Biggs.
"Well, the Justice says we must surrender the negroes and take them to the nearest landing for you. We've come to do it."
"It's better treatment than I expected," Biggs answered.
"You'll find that we have a good deal of respect for the law," said Peasley.
Biggs and his friend went to the barn for their horses. The others conferred a moment with the two slaves and Mrs. Brimstead. Then the latter went out into the garden lot to a woman in a sunbonnet who was working with a hoe some fifteen rods from the house. Mrs. Brimstead seemed to be conveying a message to the woman by signs. Evidently the latter was deaf and dumb.
"That is the third slave," Brimstead whispered. "I don't believe they'll discover her."
Soon Peasley and Samson got into the wagon with the negroes and drove away, followed by the two horsemen.
In a little village on the river they stopped at a low frame house. A woman came to the door.
"Is Freeman Collar here?" Peasley demanded.
"He is back in the garden," the woman answered.