Satisfied that he had sustained no loss, he again climbed to the top rail of the fence where he seated himself with an elbow resting on one knee and his chin in the palm of his hand.
"I got ten dollars and seventy cents--yes, sir--and the clostest shooting rifle I ever tossed to my shoulder." He seemed but small to have accomplished such a feat.

He meditated for a little space.

"I reckon when we strike the settlements again I should like to buy my Uncle Bob a present." With knitted brows he considered what this should be, canvassing Yancy's needs.

He had about decided on a ring such as Captain Murrell was wearing, when he heard the shuffling of bare feet over the ground and a voice spoke out of the darkness.
"When yo' get to feelin' like sleep, young boss, Mas'r Slosson he says I show yo' to yo' chamber." It was Slosson's boy Eph.
"Did you-all happen to notice what they're doing in the tavern now ?" asked Hannibal.
"I low they're makin' a regular hog-killin' of it," said Eph smartly.
Hannibal descended from the fence.
"Yes, you can show me my chamber," he said, and his tone was severe.
What a white man did was not a matter for a black man to criticize.

They went toward the open door of the tavern.