oby looking
at him over a fallen log. A smile of genuine joy and relief overspread
the black man's features when he saw who the vigilant sentry was, and he
immediately got upon his feet and came to the fence.

"The top of the morning to you, parson," said Marcy pleasantly. "You act
as though you might be looking for some one."

"Sarvent, sah," replied Toby. "I is for a fac' lookin' for you, an'
nobody else. I was up to de gate, an' Marse Dick Graham done tol' me you
down heah. You-uns gwine get in de biggest sort of trouble, you an'
Marse Dick, an' I come heah to tol' you."

"I assure you we are grateful to you for it," answered the boy, with a
smile. "But how are we going to get into trouble? Talk fast, for I have
no business to hold any communication whatever with you."

"Dat white trash, Bud Gobble; he's de man," began Toby. "You an' Marse
Dick done sont him into de woods to look for de way to dat underground
railroad--"

Marcy leaned upon his musket, threw back his head, and laughed heartily
but silently, for he did not want to bring the corporal of the guard
down to his post until he had heard what the old negro had to tell him.

"Dat's jes' what you-uns done, Marse Marcy," continued Toby. "An' now
dat man gwine tote you bofe out in de woods an' lick you like he was de
oberseer an' you two de niggahs."

When Marcy heard this he did not know whether to laugh again or get
angry over it. As time was precious he did neither, but began
questioning Toby, who told a story that made the boy open his eyes. When
it was concluded the fact was plain to Marcy that somebody had been
trying to get him and Dick Graham into trouble; but who could it be? He
knew that he had been airing his Union sentiments rather freely, but he
wasn't aware that he had made any enemies by it. He wished the hour for
his relief would hasten its coming, so that he might compare notes with
Dick.

"You think it was the letter Bud received that put all these things into
his head, do you?" said he, after a moment's reflection.

"You haven't any idea who wrote the letter or what else there was in
it?"

"No sah, I aint. I wish't I had, so't I could tell you."

"Bud Goble mentioned Dick's name and mine while he was threatening us,
did he?" continued Marcy.

"He did for a fac'. I didn't hear him, kase I wasn't dar; but Elder
Bowen's niggah Sam was in de store when he 'buse de storekeeper, an' he
was at de house when he come dar an' 'buse de elde