And I had actually been lying in this negro hut, burning up with fever, helplessly delirious, for ten days.

What had already occurred in that space of time?
What villainy had been concocted and carried out?
What more did the negro know ?--something surely, for now I remembered he had addressed me by name.
"Now see here, Pete," I began earnestly.

"How did you learn what my name was ?" "De docthar he foun' dat out, sah.

I reckon' he thought maybe he ought ter know; fearin' as how ye might die.

He done looked through yer pockets, sah, an' he took two papers whut he foun' dar away wid him.
He done tol' me as how yer wus an offercer in de army--a leftenant, er sumthin'-- an' thet dem papers ought fer ter be sint ter de Gov'ner et onct.