'Yes, the boys takes 'em down ter the pen. I'm pickin' sum up round har, now, ye see, and I send 'em ter Goldsboro'. When I've toted these down thar, the boys and I'll go up ter Virginny.'
'Why don't you send them on by stage? I should think it would hurt them to camp out at this season.'
'Hurt 'em! Lord bless ye, fresh air never hurt a nig; they're never so happy as sleepin' on the groun', with nothin' over 'em, and thar heels close ter a light-wood fire.'
'But the delicate house women and the children, can they bear it?'
'It do come a trifle hard on them, but it doan't last long. I allers takes ter the railroad when I gets a gang together.'
'Well, come; I want a woman. Show me all you have.'
'Do ye mean so, raally, Mr. Kirke? I thort ye wus a comin' it on me, and I swar ye does do the Suthern like a native. I'm blamed ef I didn't s'pose ye b'longed round har. Ha! ha! How the ole man would larf ter hear it!'
'But I am a native, Larkin; born within sight of Bunker Hill.'
'Yes, thet kind o' native; and them's the sort, too. They make all-fired smart spec'lators. I knows a dozen on 'em, thet hev made thar pile, and haint older'n I am, nother.'
'Is it possible! Yankees in this business?'