One of the men lifted the bell and rang it loudly.
“What does that mean?” thought Rodney, who felt more curious than apprehensive.
He soon learned.
A curious looking negro, stunted in growth, for he was no taller than a boy of ten, came out from the interior and stood at the entrance of the cave, if such it was. His face was large and hideous, there was a hump on his back, and his legs were not a match, one being shorter than the other, so that as he walked, his motion was a curious one. He bent a scrutinizing glance on Rodney.
“Well, Caesar, is dinner ready?” asked one of the men.
“No, massa, not yet.”
“Let it be ready then as soon as possible. But first lead the way. We are coming in.”
He started ahead, leading the horse, for the entrance was high enough to admit the passage of the animal.
“Push on!” said the other, signing to Rodney to precede him.
Rodney did so, knowing remonstrance to be useless. His curiosity was excited. He wondered how long the passage was and whither it led.