"You have no bill here. It will be settled by the Confederacy."
"We can't allow that. We are not here as the guests of your Government."
"Yes, you are, and you can't help yourselves," he rejoined, laughing pleasantly. "If you offer the landlord greenbacks, he'll have you jugged, certain,—for it's against the law."
"That's nothing to us. We are jugged already."
"So you are!" and he laughed again, rather boisterously.
His manner half convinced me that he had been playing on our sensibilities; but I said nothing, and we followed him down the stairs.
At the outer door stood Jack and the ambulance! Their presence assured us a safe exit from Dixie, and my feelings found expression somewhat as follows:—
"How are you, Jack? You're the best-looking darky I ever saw."
"I's bery well, Massa, bery well. Hope you's well," replied Jack, grinning until he made himself uglier than Nature intended. "I's glad you tinks I's good-lookin'."
"Good-looking! You're better-looking than any man, black or white, I ever met."