The negroes grinned responsively.
"Dis bad affair young sah," one said; "bery bad affair.

Ob course we soldiers ob de Union, and got to fight if dey tell us; but no like dis job ob keeping guard like dis." "It can't be helped," Vincent said; "and of course you must do your duty.

I am not going to jump up the chimney or fly through the window, and as there are four of you, to say nothing of the sergeant outside, you needn't be afraid of my trying to escape." "No, sah, dat not possible nohow; we know dat bery well.

Dat's why we no trouble to look after you.

But as de sargeant say watch, of course we must watch.