I reckon things am right lively up thar 'bout now." He chuckled to himself, smothering a laugh.

"It's sure goin' fer ter bother Massa Donaldson ter lose dis nigger, sah, fer Ah's de only one he's got." The lights slowly faded away in the far distance, finally disappearing altogether as we rounded a sharp bend in the river bank.

The engine increased its stroke, giving vent to louder chugging, and I could feel the strain of the planks beneath us as we battled the current.

This new noise may have aroused her, for Rene lifted her head as though suddenly startled and glanced about in my direction.
"We have passed the village ?" she asked, rather listlessly.
"Yes; it is already out of sight.

From the number of lights burning I imagine our escape has been discovered." "And what will they do ?" an echo of dismay in her voice.
All fear of any treachery on the part of the negro had completely deserted me, and I slipped down from my perch on the edge of the cockpit to a place on the bench at her side.