Page:Randall Parrish--My Lady of the South.djvu/51

AN UNEXPECTED PREDICAMENT the near presence of his master, sprang directly to the horse's head. The fellow must have possessed the eyes of an owl to have even noted my shape and uniform under such conditions, for to me he was but the merest unrecognizable smudge, yet his shout of recognition came before I could attempt the first motion to escape.

"Fer de Lord's sake, if it ain't Massa Calvert! What fer yer try to fool dis nigger like dat, sah?"

His words awoke within me a sudden hope. Possibly amid that intense darkness I might pass muster, for long enough, at least, to gain some advantage; perhaps even to escape without being compelled to do him bodily injury. It must be either that, or else an instant struggle which could only add to my danger, no matter how it terminated. I was very nearly Dunn's size, for his uniform fitted me as though made to my measure, and I was sufficiently versed in local conditions for all immediate requirements of such a masquerade. My voice was the greatest peril, that and a possible light which might reveal my features. All this swept through my brain in a flash, so that I answered back even before young Denslow reached us.

"It's all right, Joe; my horse went lame back yonder, and the night is so dark I did n't even know I was here yet. What is the matter with the house that you don't show any light?"

The negro laughed loudly, evidently relieved in his own mind, and released his grip on the rein.

"Fore de Lord, Massa Calvert, dat was suah a good joke on you. Nebber did I tink you not know when you [ 43 ]