“I wandered about feeling lonesome for Rebecca and wishing I might assist Tim who seemed busy in some undertaking. I watched him tie down a canvas covering over a loaded cart and caught his glance, which seemed to beckon me. I walked over to the mule’s side and patted its head while Tim spoke.
“‘Miss Becky, she say you’se come wif me. I’se got’ter take dis load down to der paddock!’ Tim looked about as he spoke and winked at me knowingly.
“I walked beside him as he drove the mule along the lane. The cart seemed laden and the mule walked slowly, but we reached the wall that divided the gardens from the farm, and then Tim made the beast go as fast as possible, all the while looking covertly about for a run-away negro or a Yankee scout.
“I suspected where we were going, and, sure enough! As we reached the woods by the lane, Rebecca called softly, ‘No further, Tim!’ and came out with several huge market baskets.
“Tim tied the mule to a tree by the roadside and removed the canvas covering. There was everything one would need for light housekeeping for several weeks. Besides the food and clothing, there were bandages, medicine, bedding, lanterns, an oil-stove, dishes, and numerous other necessities. These were piled in the baskets and carried to the cave where they were placed in crannies for some future emergency.
“‘Imp, I want you to be introduced to my best friend,’ said Rebecca, after we had brought in our first basket.
“I heard a whinny and looked about in the gloom.
“Rebecca went over to a corner near the spot whence fresh air entered the cavern, and held the lantern up for me to see her pet.
“I stood making friendly advances to the beauty and, to Becky’s amazement, he never moved an inch, but wrinkled his nose for sugar.
“‘Witch! that is what you are!’ laughed Becky, as Imp poked his nose under my arm. ‘I have never known him to do such a thing.’