"Have you ever had the yellow fever, Arling?"
"No; it does not visit our western villages."
"Then, I advise you to take refuge in one of them, for the next three months. It is certain to visit Berganton ere long."
"Indeed!" said Bergan, with more curiosity than alarm. "Why do you think so?"
"From the weather, the atmosphere, the present type of disease,—a dozen indications patent to the eye of experience. Besides, I am informed by a private letter that it has already appeared in New Orleans. Its arrival here is but a question of time. And I assure you that its acquaintance is to be avoided."
"Doubtless. And I shall do my best to avoid it—except by running away."
"You might as well say," answered Doctor Remy, dryly, "that you will take every precaution against drowning—except to keep your head above water. Don't be fool-hardy, Arling. Yellow Jack has a keen appetite for strangers,—that is to say, for all who are not native born. If he spares any, it is usually the sickly and feeble, not the strong and vigorous. He would consider you a toothsome morsel. Take my advice, and go home, or go North, or take a sea-voyage,—do anything rather than remain here during the last of summer and the beginning of autumn. It will be no loss to you. After the first of next month, there will be absolutely nothing for a lawyer to do here but try to keep cool."
"And you?" asked Bergan.
"Oh, I stay, of course. An epidemic is a physician's harvest time. Besides, I have had the yellow fever."
"Then the native-born do not all escape?"