CHAPTER XVI
THE NEW TROOP MEETS THE ENEMY
The difference between the old company and the new one which came in its place, was marked in many ways besides color, and the latter had not been in the county an hour before the people knew that the struggle was on, and set themselves to prepare for it.
The evening of the arrival of the new company, Jerry entered Captain Allen’s office somewhat hastily, and busied himself with suspicious industry. Presently Steve looked at him amusedly.
“Well, what do you want now?—grandmother dead again? If you get drunk I’ll thrash you within an inch of your life.”
Jerry giggled.
“Done sent a company o’ niggers heah,” he announced, with something very like a grin as he cut his eyes at his master.
“Negroes—hey?” Steve’s expression did not change a particle, and Jerry looked disappointed. If anything, there was a little more light in Steve’s eyes, but they were gazing out of the window, and Jerry could not see them.
“Leech back?” asked Mr. Allen, indifferently.
“Don’ know, suh—I’ll fine out.” The look on Jerry’s face once more became pleasant.