Meantime there had been much excitement and confusion in the camp when it was discovered that several of the men, including Nux and Bry, and even “the boy Sam,” had disappeared during the night with most of the gold dust that had been accumulated.
I can relate fairly well what occurred, for I heard the story often enough afterward.
The Major was furious with rage, at first, and sent at once for Uncle Naboth, whom he accused of being at the bottom of the plot to rob him.
Mr. Perkins was so full of his own anxieties that he paid little attention to the red-bearded giant’s ravings.
“I’m afraid Sam’s in trouble,” he said, nervously.
“In trouble! You bet he is,” yelled the Major, “I’ll skin him alive when I catch him.”
“That’s the point,” answered Uncle Naboth. “How are we to find him again? I’ll risk your hurting the boy, if we can only find out where they’ve taken him.”
“Your niggers are gone, too,” the Major reminded him.
“That’s the only thing that gives me hope, sir,” retorted my Uncle. “Those black men are as faithful and honest as any men on earth, and I’m thinking they’re gone after Sam to try to rescue him.”
“Then you think he’s been kidnapped, do you?”