"You see nothing?" I whispered, touching her hand in encouragement. "No evidence of a guard anywhere?"
"No—the others must still be out in front waiting."
"There were only the four of them then?"
"So I understood. I was told they came up the river in a small keel-boat, operated by an engine, and that they anticipated no resistance. The engineer was left to watch the boat and be ready to depart down stream at any moment."
"Good; that leaves us a clear passage. Now I am going to drop to the ground; it is not far below. Can you make it alone?"
"I have done so many a time."
We attained the solid earth almost together and in silence.
"Now let me guide you," she suggested, as I hesitated. "I know every inch of the way about here. Where is the negro waiting?"
"At the edge of the wood where the wagon road ends, beyond the slave quarters."
"Yes, I know; it will be safer for us to go around the garden."