“No, I think not.”
“Must be careful, massa cap’n. I reckon dey has de fever ’n’ agur right smart in dis yere country.”
“I don’t know,” replied Somers, carelessly; for he was thinking that his friend was absent a long time upon his mission.
He waited a quarter of an hour longer, and began to be impatient at De Banyan’s long absence. He thought the major must be having a very pleasant interview with his old acquaintance, and had forgotten that his friend was out in the storm waiting for him. At last his patience was completely exhausted, and he had it in his heart to rebuke the thoughtlessness of his companion.
“Here, Alick, hold my horse,” said Somers, as he dismounted. “The major has gone to sleep, and forgotten that we are waiting for him.”
“Yes, massa; but dat ain’t much like de major, to forget you,” replied Alick, taking the rein.
“No, it is not; but I’ll venture to say he is having a good time in the house.”
Somers walked up to the front door, and knocked with his fist. As in the former instance, it brought no response; and he repeated the summons with the butt of his pistol, but with no better success than before. It was evident that the family were very deaf, or that they occupied the rear of the house, where the sound could not reach them. Following the example of De Banyan, he opened the door and entered. At the end of a long entry he saw a light through a crack, which he followed till it brought him to another door, at which he knocked.
“What do you want?” demanded a large, rough, uncouth-looking man, who presented himself at the door.
“Where is the gentleman that came in here half an hour ago?” asked Somers, rather impatiently.