"He's de wust rascal wot I eber seen," whispered Old Ben sympathetically. "Wot a pity he wasn't shot down in de fust battle wot he eber got into!"
"He wants to take us both out of the country, Ben."
"Wot, away from ole South Carolina?"
"Yes—on a trip on the ocean."
"I don't want to go, Massah Jack."
"No more do I; but how can we help ourselves?"
"I wish dis niggah could git free, Massah Jack."
"We must try our best to escape to-night. If we don't do it to-night, I reckon our last chance will be gone."
"Ise willin' ter do all I kin," answered Old Ben, and the other negro said the same.
With the setting of the sun over the mountains a strong breeze sprang up, and presently the sky was obscured by heavy clouds. Dr. Mackey had gone off half an hour before.