'Two of my niggers!' exclaimed the Colonel, perceptibly moderating his tone, 'which ones?'
'A yaller gal, and a child.'
'I thank you, Barnes; excuse my hard words—I was excited.'
'All right, Cunnel; say no more 'bout thet. Will ye send fur 'em? I'd hev fotched 'em 'long, but my waggin's off jest now.'
'Yes, I'll send at once. Have you got them safe?'
'Safe? I reckon so! Kotched 'em las' night, arter dark, and they've kept right still ever sense, I 'sure ye—but th' gal holes on ter th' young 'un ter kill—we couldn't get it 'way no how.'
'How did you catch them?'
'The' got 'gainst my turpentime raft—th' current driv 'em down, I s'pose.'
'What! are they dead?' exclaimed the Colonel.
'Dead? Deader'n drownded rats!' was the native's reply.