I 'se ol'
Pete, sah; I reckon you remembers ol' Pete."
"Of course I do," I returned heartily, encouraged by his words to
believe I would pass muster. "Can you drive us out?"
The negro scratched his head.
"I reckon as how I can, sah, leastwise so far as ther gate. It's going
to be plum dark when we gits dar, an' dis nigger don't fool round dar
none in de dark."
"Why, what's the trouble, Pete?"
"Cause ol' Massa Henley's ghost was hangin' round, sah. I ain't nebber
seen it myself, an' I don't want to, for he was sure bad 'nough alive,
but dar 's niggers what has."
"Oh, pshaw," I laughed, turning toward the silent girl. "We will risk
the ghost if you 'll drive us out. Put in the grips."
"Yes, sah. I reckon this yere am de new missus."
"Yes," and I assisted her into the rear seat. "That's all; now jog
along."
He climbed into his place, but with no special alacrity; but whipped
his team into a swift trot, evidently anxious to complete the trip as
early as possible. I glanced aside at my companion, observing the
paleness of her face.
"Surely you are not afraid of the negro's ghost?" I questioned.
"Oh, no, but the strangeness of it all has got on my nerves. I did not
suppose it would be so hard, and--and I am not so sure now that we
ought to do this.
Pages:
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88