as afraid it might
alarm the poor fellow. Better not say anything to him about it," remarked
Will aside.

"And they don't want him, anyhow. Give George just what you and Frank
think we can spare. I feel sorry for the old man, too. Say! did you get
his photo this time, Will?" asked Jerry.

"Thank you, I did, and standing beside that wonderful shack, made of
palmetto leaves. I'm glad to see that you're beginning to take an
interest in my work. Keep it up, Jerry. We'll all enjoy the pictures
later on," remarked Will.

The boys had eaten lunch, but that did not deter them from getting
another ready, and both Will and the negro did full justice to it.

"Here, George, is the package of food for you to carry on your long trip.
And I want you to take this, also. It's only five dollars, but it may
help out on the way to Chattanooga," said Will, slipping the bill into
the old fellow's black hand.

George looked at it as though he could not believe his eyes.

"Five dollahs! Gorry! dat am mo' dan I done see dis t'ree yeahs, suh!
Five dollahs! If I kin on'y keep dat till I sees my gal, Cleopatrick, how
her eyes'll stick out!" he said, scratching his white wool in delight,
while his eyes glistened.

"Say that name again, will you?" murmured Jerry, gripping the arm of
Frank as if taken suddenly ill.

"Cleopatrick. Dat's my darter, suh. She merried a right smart nigger, an'
he's got a barber shop up dar. His name it am Samuel Parker White, an' if
so be yuh ebber wants tuh send me one ob dat pictur', jest drap it dar.
I's over-whelmed wid gratefulness, 'deed I is. Dey won't ebber be
troubled wif George Duval 'round these diggin's ag'in, dat's so, suh."

"But think of the henroosts up there about poor old Chattanooga," said
Jerry in Frank's ear, though the latter frowned at him for saying it.

After a short time old George took his departure on foot. He said that it
was his intention to start immediately for the North. He had a few things
at his shack he wanted to get, when he would depart from the soil of
Florida forever.

"Happy Florida!" muttered the irrepressible Jerry.

Nevertheless, each of them shook the old darky's hand, in parting, and
wished him the best of good luck.

"Well, what had we better do, boys?" asked Frank when they found
themselves once more alone.

"I'm for getting out," said Will.

"That surprises me some, for it was you who wanted to stay," remarked
Bluff.

"Well, we stayed, didn't we? I only