"I want to go to the plantation and call Tom," said Rosa; "and there is such bright moonshine we might go, but I am afraid Gerald would be displeased."
Tulee at once volunteered to bring out Thistle, and to walk beside her mistress.
Both started at the sound of footsteps. They were not light enough for Floracita, but they thought it might be some one bringing news. It proved to be the master of the house.
"Why, Gerald, how glad I am! I thought you were in Savannah," exclaimed Rosa. "Have you seen anything of Floracita?"
"No. Isn't she here?" inquired he, in such a tone of surprise, that
Tulee's suspicions were shaken.
Rosa repeated the story of her disappearance, and concluded by saying,
"She told Tulee she was homesick to go to Madame."
"She surely wouldn't dare to do that," he replied.
"Massa Gerald," said Tulee, and she watched him closely while she spoke, "there's something I didn't tell Missy Rosy, 'cause I was feared it would worry her. I found this little glove of Missy Flory's, with a bunch of sea-weed, down on the beach; and there was marks of her feet all round."
Rosa uttered a cry. "O heavens!" she exclaimed, "I saw an alligator a few days ago."
An expression of horror passed over his face. "I've cautioned her not to fish so much for shells and sea-mosses," said he; "but she was always so self-willed."