John Jay grinned when he saw the arrival, for it was a man whom he knew.
"Good evenin', Mistah Boden," he called, eagerly.

The man stopped his horses.
"Hello!" he said.

"You're in charge, are you?
Where's the rest of the folks ?" "Mars' Nat, he's gone to town to-day," answered John Jay, proudly.

"I'm keepin' toll-gate this evenin', Mistah Boden." "So!" exclaimed the man, with a cunning gleam in his little eyes.
"That's the lay of the land, is it ?" Instead of taking out his pocket-book, he threw one foot over his knee, and began to ask questions in a friendly manner that flattered John Jay.
"Let's see.

Your name's Hickman, hain't it ?" "Yessa, John Jay Hickman," answered the boy.
"Yes," drawled the man, gnawing at a plug of tobacco which he took from his pocket.