"Dat's so," answered Old Ben, as he came forward and poked the wild cat with his gun barrel. "Dead, are ye? Well, Old Ben will make suah," and he hit the wild cat's skull a blow that crushed it completely.
"Ben, you saved my life," went on Jack joyfully. "I was certain I was going to be chewed up."
"Wot fo' is yo' a prisoner yeah?" asked Columbus Washington, as he gazed at Jack's bonds curiously.
"Dr. Mackey made me a prisoner."
"What, dat man!" ejaculated Old Ben.
"Yes, Ben; he had me taken from the stable, where I had gone to watch that guerrilla."
"And where am de guerrilla?"
"Dr. Mackey helped him to escape."
The faithful old colored man shook his head doubtfully.
"Massah Jack, do yo' dun t'ink dat doctor am your fadder?" he asked.