I came below the veranda, still in the deep shadow, utterly unconscious of any other presence, when suddenly, from just above me, and certainly not six feet distant, a man spoke gruffly, the unexpected sound of his strange voice interrupted by the sharp grate of a chair's leg on the porch floor, and a half-smothered yawn.
"Say, Sheriff, how long are we all goin' ter set yere, do yer know?
This don't look much like Saint Louee afore daylight ter me." I stopped still, crouching low, my heart leaping into my throat, and every nerve tingling.
"No, it sure don't, Tim," replied another, and the fellow apparently got down from off his perch on the porch rail.

"Yer see Kirby is bound he'll get hold o' them two missin' females furst, afore he'll let me round up the niggers." "But yer told him yer wouldn't round the niggers up, an' stow 'em away in the boat." "Not till I get service on the young lady.

It wouldn't do no good." "Whut's the idee ?" "Damned if I know exactly.

All I know is whut I kin do accordin' ter law, an' whut I can't.

The papers is all straight 'nough, but they've got ter be served afore we kin lay hands on a damned thing.