Page:Rowland--In the shadow.djvu/305

 "Time and patience; time and patience. The negro will never be a menace to this or any other nation until he has the mind to be one, and when he has the mind to be one he will have mind enough not to be one. He is not naturally vicious. Of course he can be goaded into sporadic outbreaks. He may be a tremendous nuisance; is now; will be; but a menace, never!"

Leyden's coming brought to Virginia a comforting relief from the tension of the last several hours; the relief which attends the arrival of the surgeon in a case of accident. Leyden's manner carried a distinct sense of sufficiency.

"These fellows have been organizing," said Manning, "and there has been some talk of attempting to search the swamp, but they have no boats. Nothing has been seen or heard of Dessalines or the man he carried off, but it appears that Virginia did not hit this chap." He handed Giles a mushroom-shaped leaden pellet. "I found this, beside the man's rifle, early this morning."

He turned to Leyden. "What do you require for your search, Dr. Leyden?"

"Two day's rations and a bateau," replied the naturalist briskly. "Has anybody been into the swamp?"

"I think not; I gave strict orders that they should keep out, as I had a special officer coming; besides they have no boat. They are puzzled, but I think that they will obey my orders."

"About those three men?" said Giles diffidently. His face had cleared at Manning's information in regard to Virginia's part of the affair.

"They have been warned to leave my property at 295