Everything went on as usual until about dusk the next day, when Old Dick made his appearance at the sitting-room window, and informed me that Job was missing.
"I's looked ebery whar, high en low, en I can't fin' de po' boy no'ers," he said.
"Oh, he will turn up before long; don't be frightened," I said. "Very likely he has climbed up into the haymow and fallen asleep. You remember we found him there once."
"I clar, missus, I's done look all fro de barn; but I'll go look agin ef yer say so. I 'members now I didn't look in de ole mangers in de wagon-house; but I don't reckon he'd git in dem hardly."
I went about my work, having little doubt but that Job would turn up all right, as he always had done before. But in a few minutes, happening to glance out of the window, I saw Old Dick running toward the house, having lost his hat, and making wild gestures with his arms. As soon as he caught sight of me he commenced to cry: "Oh, missus! Oh! oh! oh! Joby's done gone en fell in de barn well."
I ran out to him at once. "You must be mistaken," I said.
"Oh dear no, missus; I wisht I wuz. De bucket wuz hangin' down de well, en I jes let it down inter de water, thinkin' I'd draw up a leetle, w'en I heerd him a-splashin' roun' down dar."
"It was only the bucket when it struck the water."
"Oh no, 'twan't; I drawed de bucket up, en could atterwa'ds hear de po' boy. Can't nobody help me git him out? De po' boy is drownin' down dar—he is sho'. Whar is Mr. Williams? Oh, missus, whar is Mr. Williams?"
Great excitement ensued. Dinah, the cook, having seen Old Dick come running toward the house, had come out to see what was the matter. Now she ran back to my husband's study, and addressed him in these words. "De Lord help us, Marster Williams, Job's done gone en fell in de barn well."