And the trapper “laughed till he cried” at the recollection, while the indignant darkey relapsed into sulky silence.
Wild Nat had jeered at the negro so frequently concerning his cowardice, that he was getting to be sensitive on that subject.
“How long will we have to stay here?” asked Marion.
“’Bout two days, I reckon,” replied Vic. “Thar’s one thin’ thet I don’t see how we are goin’ tew’ git around. Thar’s no hoss for Marion, an’, blow me, ef I know whar we ar’ goin’ tew git one.”
“It’s a poser,” said Wild Nat, “but I’ve heern say thet perseverance an’ sweet ile will overcome any thin’, an’ we’ve got the perseverance, if not the ile. Mebby buffler-fat would ans’er, though.”
For the remainder of the day no one left the cave, but at dark Wild Nat went out to attend to the animals, and insisted on having Scip accompany him. That worthy rather demurred.
“Yer afraid!” said the trapper, contemptuously.
“Ain’t neither, tell you. Nebber war scart in my life,” retorted the darkey. “De trufe is, my head aches, an’ I don’ feel like walkin’.”
“Head aches!” ejaculated the trapper. “Wal, I should think it would! Ef my teeth had danced a double-shuffle for the length of time yern did, I couldn’t speak in a month. Don’t the hinge of yer jaw want ilein’?”
“Ye shet yer mouf!” replied Scip. “’S if I didn’t know ye’s a-lyin’. My teeth never chattered! I dunno what scart means; nebber war scart in my life!”