“The Young Mistress said: ‘If you stay here they will catch you, sure.’
“The Son of Ben Ali shook his head, and the man named Abe made this reply: ‘No, ma’am, they’ll not come back here in a hurry, after hearing what you said.’
“At this, they all laughed, except the Son of Ben Ali. ‘You may be certain,’ he said, ‘that I’ll not stay here where I can be seen. The Gossett negroes go hungry every day in the year, and for an extra pint of meal they would tell everything they know and more too. And I would be the last to blame them.’
“Then suddenly the Little Master spoke: ‘Can you climb a tree?’
“‘By this time I ought to know how,’ said the Son of Ben Ali.
“‘Then come, I’ll show you.’ So saying, the Little Master swung himself on his crutches and went hopping to the door as nimbly as if his legs were sound and whole. And the Young Mistress went too, and I followed.
“But by the time the Little Master had reached the door the Son of Ben Ali was out and before him.
“‘You are such a good rider, I’ll be your horse,’ said the Son of Ben Ali.