As they approached the barn-yard they saw, by the light of the moon, the Yankee coming away from his cart, and returning to the house. The girls crouched down behind the garden fence till he had passed, and then cautiously proceeded on their errand. They went to the back of the cart, intending to deposit their provisions, when they were startled at seeing something evidently alive moving behind the round opening of the linen cover; and in a moment the head of a little black child peeped out of the hole.
The girls were so surprised that they stopped short and could not utter a word, and the young negro, evidently afraid of being seen, immediately popped down its head among the tins.
“Amy, did thee see that?” asked Orphy in a low voice.
“Yes, I did so,” replied Amy; “what can the Yankee be doing with that little nigger? and why does he hide it? Let’s go and ask the child.”
“No, no!” exclaimed Orphy, “the tinman will be angry.”
“And who cares if he is?” said Amy; “he has done something he is ashamed of, and we need not be afraid of him.”
They went quite close to the back of the cart, and Amy said, “Here, little snow-ball, show thyself and speak, and do not be afraid, for nobody’s going to hurt thee.”
“How did thee come into this cart?” asked Orphy, “and why does the Yankee hide thee? Tell us all about it, and be sure not to speak above thy breath.”
The black child again peeped out of the hole, and looking cautiously round, said, “Are you quite sure the naughty man won’t hear us?”
“Quite sure,” answered Amy; “but is thee boy or girl?”