Then came my own examination, and Jenks did not trouble me at all, but, when I had likewise identified the men I knew, simply bowed smilingly, and had no questions to ask his friend from the East.
Our third morning began with the negress, who said she was married, told a scattered tale, and soon stated that she was single, explaining later that she had two husbands, and one was dead, while the other had disappeared from her ten years ago. Gradually her alarm subsided and she achieved coherence.
“What did this gentleman do at the occurrence?” inquired Jenks, indicating me.
“Dat gemman? He jes flew, sir, an’ I don’ blame him fo’ bein’ no wusser skeer’d dan de hole party. Yesser, we all flew scusin’ dey two pore chillun; an’ we stayed till de ’currence was ceased.”
“But the gentleman says he sat on a stone, and saw those men firing.”
“Land! I seed him goin’ like he was gwineter Fo’t Grant. He run up de hill, an’ de Gennul he run down like de day of judgment.”
“The General ran?”
“Lawd grashus, honey, yo’ could have played checkers on dey coat tails of his.”
The court rapped gently.
“But the gold must have been heavy to carry away to the horses. Did not the General exert his influence to rally his men?”