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 A sharp, indrawn breath beside him, and a whisper:

"How yuh know?"

"Gawd gib cripple many t'ings he ain't gib strong men." Then again, patiently, "War it Crown?"

"Yes, it war."

"Wut he say?"

"He comin' fuh me when de cotton come tuh town."

"Yuh goin'?"

"I tell um—yes."

After a while the woman reached out a hand and closed it lightly about the man's arm. Under the sleeve she felt the muscles go rigid. What power! She tried to circle it with her hand. It was almost as big as Crown's. It was strange that she had not noticed that before. She opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came. Presently she sighed, and withdrew her hand.

Through the immense emptiness of sea and sky the boat forged slowly toward the distant city's lights.

"I gots er feelin' yistuhday," announced Maria to Serena Robbins, as she took a batch of wet clothing from the latter's tub, gave it