The general impression was that the timid negro boy was the victim of his own fears.

Many jokes were perpetrated at his expense.

With wonted carelessness, all precautions were forgotten, and the men sallied thoughtlessly forth to disperse through the fields in their labors.
But after several days, the boy was again sent out into the woods upon the same errand as before.

He was a timid little fellow, and had a great dread of the Indian.

Tremblingly and cautiously he threaded the paths of the forest for several miles, keeping a vigilant lookout for any signs of the savage foe, when his eye fell upon a sight which appalled him.