“De Lo’d sabe us!”
“If you behave yourself, and don’t make a noise, I will not hurt you,” said he, as he led the way out of the shed.
“Where be I gwine, massa?”
“No matter; keep still.”
A few steps from the door was a small tool-house, which Somers opened, and ordered the woman to go in. She tremblingly obeyed, and he closed the door upon her, with an injunction to keep entirely silent, which she seemed disposed to obey. Fastening the door upon her, he returned to the house, satisfied that she would not further interfere with his plans.
The black woman had left the kitchen door open, and Somers walked in, with the light in his hand. There was a fire in the stove, on which there were several dishes of gruel, and other articles necessary for the sick room. It was evident that the farmer and his family had been turned out of the house, for no other persons appeared to disturb his operations. His long, heavy boots were not favorable to stealthy movements, and he retired to the back room to remove them. After satisfying himself, by a further examination, in regard to the structure of the house, and the position of the doors and windows, he extinguished the light, and passed from the kitchen to the front entry.
The door connecting with the front room, where the exciting events of the evening had occurred, was open. Maud, in the deepest distress, was talking to the wounded soldier. He was unable or unwilling to do anything, and Maud depended upon the black woman for aid. Somers concealed himself under the stairs, and waited for further developments.
He was not compelled to wait long; for presently he heard footsteps, which indicated the arrival of at least half a dozen persons.
“It is hardly time for the return of Major Riggleston,” said one of them.
“We are rather early; but when he comes, he will bring us the fullest intelligence,” added another, as they entered the front room.