“’Possum mighty good,” said Harbert, seeing Joe hesitate.
“Lots of fun in runnin’ a coon,” said Jim-Polk.
“Well,” said Joe, “let’s start without a light.”
“Dat settles it,” exclaimed Harbert, with a good-humored grimace. “I done bin hunt wid deze dogs befo’.”
“You must have stole ’em out,” said Jim-Polk.
“No, suh,” replied Harbert, “I went wid Mink.”
“I wish to goodness,” exclaimed Jim-Polk, “that Mink was at home. Pap, he sides with the overseer, but when I get a little bigger I’m a-goin’ to whirl in and give that overseer a frail-in’, if it’s the last act.”
“Now you talkin’!” said Harbert, with emphasis.
It was some time before they got free of the pasture-land, and then they went by Mr. Snelson’s, so that Joe might change his clothes for a rougher suit. That genial gentleman was very much interested in the hunt, and he finally persuaded himself to go.
“I’ll go,” said he, “joost to pertect the lads. It’s a fine mess I’m after gettin’ into, and it’s all on account of me good feelin’s. They’ll be the death of me some day, and thin a fine man’ll be gone wit’ nobuddy to take his place.”