CHAPTER XXVIII.
A LIVING TOMB.
When morning dawned, the scout and the giant black were on their feet.
The latter said that he was all right, only his head was sore and felt twice as heavy as usual.
The prisoners were taken out of the bunks in the cabin and tied to trees near the outside fire, where breakfast was put on by the negro, while the scout went to lead the horses to water and to change them to a fresh grazing ground.
This was accomplished by the time the guide had breakfast done, and, as the chief came up, he found the prisoners talking earnestly with the black, who called out:
“Massa Bill, what you think dese bad gemmens want me to do just now?”
“Kill me, I suppose, and set them free.”
“Lordy, Massa Bill, you read minds same as you does a book.”