gone he
rushed back, entering just as the gallery fell.

CHAPTER XV

A SURPRISE AT THE FORTUNA

"What's it to you where we are going?" demanded Jack, as he elbowed his
way past the others and confronted the giant.

"Look here, white folks," began the negro, "Ah don't want no trouble,
but youall mustn't go rangin' aroun' thoo mah place like this here
'thout 'splainin' yourselfs. This is mah fahm."

"Yes, it is your farm," cried Frank. "You've got as many farms as a
hen's got teeth! All your farms are in your mind!"

"Nemmine about dat, boys," grinned the black. "Jes' youall tell me where
youall's gwine, else mebbe somepin' gwine happen!"

"You're right, something's going to happen, and that mighty suddenly!"
was Jack response. "This'll happen to you!"

He swung his arm up. Tom expected momentarily to hear the report of an
automatic. Instead he saw the negro's face lighted brilliantly by the
dart of flame from the imitation automatic which was fitted as a
searchlight. The powerful electric light blinded and dazzled the man on
whom it was thrown.

"Now, look here, fellow!" began Jack in a threatening tone. "If you
don't stand one side and tell me your name at once, I'll put this light
square on your foot and that foot'll wither up and tomorrow this time,
it'll drop off. I could do that to your head, too, if I wanted to. But
you will probably not make it necessary for me to do so. At least, I
hope not."

"Lordy, Boss," stuttered the now thoroughly frightened man, "Don't
youall point that there thing mah way no mo'. Ah don't like hit--Ah
pointedly does not. Youall needn't be afraid of me."

"Nobody's afraid of you, you big lummix!" declared Tom, now coming
forward. "What's your name, anyhow?" he demanded.

"Mah name's Doright Abraham Jefferson Davis Canaan. Ah don' know de rest
ob it. Ah 'spects dey done forgot to tell me all."

"Well it's a good thing your shoulders are broad enough to carry that
much of a load," laughed the boys. "That's enough."

"Now then, Doright Whatsyourname Canaan," Jack began, "can you tell us
where we are? It is dark in these woods and we don't know this country
at all. Tell me where we are at."

"Well, sah," began the darky, "Youall is 'bout half way to West
Pascagoula. Yaas, sir, Boss, dat am a sure 'nuf fac'."

"Good! That's enlightening!" Frank put in. "Now tell me is there a place
nearby. I mean does anyone live near here?"

"No, sir," replied Doright. "Ah can