All the while Clip was watching the movements of the real estate agent.
"What's he searchin' Massa Burton's pockets for?" he asked himself. "Spec's he's going to rob him. Didn't think the old man was so mean before. I'd jes' like to jump out and scare him."
Meanwhile Wolverton finished his discreditable business, happily unconscious that any one was witness of his mean act. Then, as already stated, he got up and walked swiftly away, not venturing to look back. Had he done so he would have seen Clip stealing from behind the tree which had served to screen him from observation, and running towards the wreck.
Clip had never before seen death, but there was something in the mute look of Richard Burton that awed the soul of the colored boy.
Clip had an affectionate heart. He felt that Richard Burton must be dead, and the thought overpowered him.
"Poor Massa Burton!" he cried, bursting into tears. "He's done dead, sure 'nough. Oh, what will we do?"
A minute later Clip bounded off like a deer, to carry the sad news to the village.
He met the village doctor driving along in his top buggy, and he quickly called out to him: "Go quick, Massa Doctor, for de love of God. Poor Massa Burton's upset himself, and I 'spec's he's dead."
"Whereabouts, Clip?" demanded the doctor, startled.