“Be you fellers goin’ ter Portstown?”
“We were.”
“Well, if a feller let you fellers out would you give a feller a ride to Portstown if a feller wanted ter git thar’?”
“We sure would, Reuben. Who wants to go to Portstown?”
“I’m ther feller that would like ter go with you fellers. I don’t want ter work fer this feller any longer an’ if I got to Portstown I’ve got a feller thar’ thet’s a kind uv er brother-in-law ter me. So if you fellers want ter git out, this feller ’ull steal the key when old Turpin’s asleep and turn you loose.”
“Good for you, Reuben. How long will it be before old Turpin, as you call him, goes to bed?”
“Jes’ as soon as he gets through writing out what he calls a commitment agin’ you fellers. I reckon it ‘ud go hard with you if you was ter be taken afore the squire. He’s a larruper, the squire is. He give me a month once fer takin’ too much red-eye and lickin’ ther constabule.”
“Well, you watch and wait, Reuben,” said Jack; “we’ll be all ready when you are.”
They heard Reuben’s heavy footsteps retreating, and then followed a period that seemed years in extent. But at its termination Reuben’s cautious voice was heard.