"What's that?" Aaron asked in a low tone, as they passed the last of the four buggies.
"What's what?"
"Abolitioner."
"Oh, that's one of these blamed new-fangled parties. You wouldn't know if I were to tell you."
In a little while they began to draw near Mr. Gossett's home, and he renewed his efforts to prevail on Aaron to go to the cabin that had been assigned to him, and to remain as one of the hands. Finally as they came within hailing distance of the house, Mr. Gossett said:—
"If you've made up your mind to stay, you may take the horse and put it up. If you won't stay, don't let the other niggers see you. Stop the horse if you can."
Aaron pressed the whip on the horse's flank, and instantly the buggy came to a standstill. The runaway jumped from the buggy, placed the whip in its thimble, and stood a moment as if reflecting. Then he raised his right arm in the air—a gesture that Mr. Gossett could not see, however—and said good-night.
"Wait!" exclaimed Mr. Gossett. "Where's my pistol?"
"Inside the buggy seat," replied Aaron, and disappeared in the darkness.