It were Mr.Crenshaw said I was to have the old sp'otin' rifle," said Hannibal.
"You--you lived at the Barony ?" repeated the judge, and a dull stupid wonder struck through his tone, he passed a shaking hand before his eyes.

"How long ago--when ?" he continued.
"I don't know how long it were, but until Uncle Bob carried me away after the old general died." The judge slipped a hand under the child's chin and tilted his face back so that he might look into it.

For a long moment he studied closely those small features, then with a shake of the head he handed the rifle to Carrington, and without a word strode forward.

Carrington had been regarding Hannibal with a quickened interest.
"Hello!" he said, as the judge moved off.

"You're the boy I saw at Scratch Hill!" Hannibal gave him a frightened glance, and edged to Mr.Mahaffy's side, but did not answer him.
"What's become of Bob Yancy ?" Carrington went on.