Joe ain't no runaway nigger, nohow at all, and de Ingins ain't ketched Joe nuther.

Joe's back all safe an' sound, sartin sure! Hi!" "What on earth ails you, Joe?
You're out of your wits, poor fellow," said Sam, convinced that the black boy was demented.
"No I ain't nuther, Mas' Sam," he replied.

"Joe ain't crazy one bit, but he's glad _sure_." "Where have you been, Joe, since you left us ?" "Whar?
Why to de fort, an' I'se dun brung back a rescue too, didn't I tell you?
Laws a massy, dat's what I comed in fust for to tell you.

I'se done been to Fort Glass and brung a big rescue party, and de white folks dey said, long as Joe brung us he's 'titled to tell de good news fust, an' dat's how I'm here while de rest is outside de drif'." "Go and see, Tom," said Sam, afraid to believe this story of the seemingly insane boy, who, he thought, had become crazed from long brooding over the chances of rescue.

Tom got up to go, but as he started Mr.Hardwicke himself met him in the door way and caught him in his arms.