“You git ready and come wid me into town dis day.”
“Indeed,” returned Foster, as much excited by the order as if it had been to go on some grand expedition. “For what purpose?”
“You ’bey orders, sar, an’ make your mind easy about purpisses.”
In a few minutes Foster was ready.
No part of his original costume now remained to him. A blue-striped cotton jacket, with pants too short and too wide for him; a broad-brimmed straw hat, deeply sunburnt face and hands, with a pair of old boots two sizes too large, made him as unlike a British naval officer as he could well be. But he had never been particularly vain of his personal appearance, and the high purpose by which he was now actuated set him above all such trifling considerations.
“Is your business a secret?” asked Foster, as he and his companion descended the picturesque road that led to the city.
“No, it am no secret, ’cause I’s got no business.”
“You seem to be in a mysterious mood this morning, Peter. What do you mean?”
“I mean dat you an’ me’s out for a holiday—two slabes out for a holiday! T’ink ob dat!”
The negro threw back his head, opened his capacious jaws, and gave vent to an almost silent chuckle.