"Then you are willing to help us escape?"
"H-e-e-e-e-e-m, dat am a po'ful dangerous obfustertakin'."
"We know it, but we count on your cleverness and good will."
Rufus grinned.
"Oh, ah's a clebber niggah, all right, ah is."
"We know it. That's why we determined to throw ourselves on your good nature and friendliness."
"Ye-e-e-ah! Ah spec's ah kin help you all, too. But see hyah, 'twont no ways do fer yo' and me ter seem too chummy. Ef we do, dey spec's right off dat dar am a pusson ob cullah in de woodpile. Ah'll act ugly toward you and spress de idee dat yo am no bettah dan po' low-down white trash. Den dey neber tink what big idee circumambulate our mind."
"That's a good plan," cried Tom heartily to their dusky ally. "Why not put it into execution to-night? My brother and I are in a hurry to get back to our friends. Two of them are sick."
"Ah dat so? Well, what you alls gib me if ah helps yo' in dis breakin' ob de jail?"
"I have ten dollars in my pocket. How much have you, Jack?"