"Then there was something more than WORDS passed between him and you, Cato.

What happened?
Come, speak out!" "He lashed me with his whip, and I gib him one right under the yeah, and drupped him," said Cato, recovering his courage with his anger at the recollection.

"I had a right to defend myse'f, sah." "Yes, and I hope you'll be able to do it, now," said Courtland calmly, his face giving no sign of his conviction that Cato's fate was doomed by that single retaliating blow, "but you'll be safer at the quarters." He passed into his bedroom, took a revolver from his bedhead and a derringer from the drawer, both of which he quickly slipped beneath his buttoned coat, and returned.
"When we are in the fields, clear of the house, keep close by my side, and even try to keep step with me.

What you have to say, say NOW; there must be no talking to betray our position--we must go silently, and you'll have enough to do to exercise your eyes and ears.

I shall stand between you and any attack, but I expect you to obey orders without hesitation." He opened the back door, motioned to Cato to pass out, followed him, locked the door behind them, and taking the negro's arm walked beside the low palings to the end of the garden, where they climbed the fence and stood upon the open field beyond.
Unfortunately, it had grown lighter with the breaking of the heavy clouds, and gusty gleams of moonlight chased each other over the field, or struck a glitter from standing rain-pools between the little hillocks.