The negro evidently knew very little as to what had occurred, merely the floating gossip of the slave quarters, and some few things the doctor had mentioned.

But there was a man living at the Landing who would be informed as to all the facts.
"I believe the Judge left two daughters, did he not ?" "Yas, sah--mighty pretty gals dey am too." "And they still remain in possession of the house ?" "I reckon dey do, sah.

Pears like the dochtar sed sumthin' 'bout treating one ob 'em--Miss Eloise--one time he wus ober yere.

Sure, deys dere all right." "Do you know a lawyer named Haines ?" "Livin' down at de Landin'?
Yas, sah." I lifted myself up in the bed, too deeply interested to lie still any longer.
"Now listen, Pete," I explained earnestly.

"I've got sufficient money to pay you well for all you do, and, just as soon as you get me something to eat, I want you to go down to the Landing and bring Lawyer Haines back here with you.