"That's a lie," replied the nigger hastily. "I see four. But neber mind, I'm not partickler. Gib us two of 'em. I say, old boy," he continued, "don't you eat nothing? D——d sweet. Sure to make you sick. Him drink much as him like."
"You wait the general's return, I presume?" said I, in the vain hope of eliciting something from this black moving barrel.
The gentleman tried to look me full in the face; but his eyes rolled involuntarily, and prevented him. He contrived, however, to effect what he intended for a knowing wink, whilst he thrust out his cheek with the end of his tongue.
"Oh yes, in course," he answered. "I wait till him come back. Him wait d——d long while. He! he! he!"
"His departure was very sudden," I continued.
"Oh, bery! All them departure's bery sudden. Missy General go bery sudden—Missy Elinor go bery sudden—rum go bery sudden," he concluded, drinking off a glassful.
"I saw the general to-day. We met on the road. He told me every thing."
"Stupid old codger! Him can't keep his own counsel. Dat him business, not mine. Deblish cleber old codger!"
"He was much affected," said I. "The elopement of his child is a serious blow to him."
The nigger performed the same pantomime as before; winking his eye, and enlarging his cheek.