"What lies in there between us and the house ?" "A truck patch mostly, wid a fence 'round it.

Den thar comes som' flower beds." "No path ?" "Well, I done reckon as how thar might be a sorter path, sah, but you'd hardly find it in de dark.

De bes' way'd be ter sorter feel 'long de fence, 'til yer git sight o' de front porch." "All right, then.

I am going to leave you here while I scout around.
Keep your eyes open, and have the mule ready to leave at any minute." "'Bout how lon' yer be gone, sah ?" "I cannot tell you that.

As short a time as possible.