Muckle John had gone to the Plantations, and 'twas Muckle John or the devil that was moving there in the half light.
I cried on him, and ran down the side alley.
But it seemed that he did not want company, for he broke into a run.
Now in those days I rejoiced in the strength of my legs, and I was determined not to be thus balked.

So I doubled after him into a maze of tobacco and melon beds.
But it seemed he knew how to run.

I caught a glimpse of his hairy legs round the corner of a shed, and then lost him in a patch of cane.

Then I came out on a sort of causeway floored with boards which covered a marshy sluice, and there I made great strides on him.

He was clear against the sky now, and I could see that he was clad only in shirt and cotton breeches, while at his waist flapped an ugly sheath-knife.
Rounding the hut corner I ran full into a man.
"Hold you," cried the stranger, and laid hands on my arm; but I shook him off violently, and continued the race.