“Yer don’t reelly mean so.”
“Yes, I do.”
“Where d’yer come from?”
“From down below here. Have you seen any soldiers pass through this place?”
“I reckon I hev; but they hain’t seen me; and I reckon they won’t see me very soon;” and the man chuckled at his own cleverness in keeping clear of recruiting officers.
“I don’t want you, and if you will give me something to eat, you will get rid of me very quick.”
“Betsey, you kin feed the feller, if yer like, and I’ll go over and see whar the hogs is.”
The man dropped his shovel, and began to move off towards the woods, probably to see whether Tom would attempt to detain him. At the same time “Betsey” led the way into the house, and the visitor paid no further attention to the master.
“We hain’t got much to eat in the house,” said the woman, as they entered the room. “There’s some biled pork and pertaters in the pot, and we’ve got some bread, sech as ’tis.”
“It will do me very well. I’m hungry, and can eat any thing,” replied Tom.