"Do you know them?" asked Dan.
"One of dem's Massa Longworth; don't know de oder," replied Quin, his teeth chattering as though he had been suddenly seized with the ague.
"Who is he?"
"De oberseer on de plantation next to ole massa's."
The overloaded bateau rendered an escape by fast rowing impossible, and the fugitives continued to pull steadily, as before. Dan had his gun in a position where he could use it when occasion required. The two men pulled up to within a short distance of the bateau, and rested on their oars.
"Where ye gwine with all that stuff?" demanded Longworth.
"We belong to a party of gunners up here," replied Dan, boldly; for he was determined to make the most of the circumstances.
"Up to Chicot—about ten miles from here."
"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed Longworth, glancing at his companion. "That's a good story, but it won't go down."