A boat thoroughly stocked, with two oar men, awaits us." "I mind the place," he said eagerly, "I outfitted there for hunting more than once.

It is best for me to lead, as I know well every inch of the path, and have grown interested in the play." He certainly proved his familiarity with that labyrinth of sombre streets and alleys.

Selecting a devious course, stooping low beneath the black shadows of walls and fences, he yet set so swift a gait with his confounded long legs it kept me puffing to follow.

But we found clear passage, seeing no one close enough to interfere with our rapid progress, while no challenge sounded, until we crept, silently as possible, around the dilapidated end of the old tobacco shed, and a black figure, scarcely distinguishable in the gloom, suddenly arose, uttering no word, yet with threatening gesture, barring further passage toward the river.
"Virginia," I gasped, breathless from the hard run.
"Bless de Lawd, Massa Benteen," returned a darky voice.

"An' Massa Charlie, as I 'm a sinner.