HOME AGAIN. 183 



the old cook. Her eyes were protruding, her bare teeth were grin- 

 ning at the spectator, and by her peeled skull we knew who had 

 been the visitors at " Far Away." 



After the first cry of horror that escaped Jackson's lips, he 

 turned around to Mike, and his eyes fell on the Indian prisoner, 

 who had taken advantage of the surprise of the party to glide 

 away among the trees. 



" Hound of hell !" shouted Jackson, " I know your work," and 

 he levelled his rifle at the Indian, who was bounding away down 

 the glade. A mocking cry answered the shot, and the spy disap- 

 peared in the woods. 



" After him ! " called Jackson, starting in pursuit. 



" Hold thar, hard ! " exclaimed Mike, springing after the planter 

 and taking him by the shoulder. " You '11 lose your own har in 

 thar and won't git his'n. Besides, I 'm of the 'pinion that the 

 sooner we get in fightin' trim the better for us. Them sarpents 

 has made a clean sweep and thar is nothin' more for 'em to do 

 here, and so I reckon they 've gone arter us to the Keys." 



Mike spoke earnestly, and Jackson stopped and returned to the 

 rest of the party that by this time had collected together by the 

 ruins. The negroes were moaning and making a noisy lamentation 

 over the remains of Aunty Blase, rocking themselves to and fro, 

 and throwing their hands up and down. The Doctor was examin- 

 ing the wound on the poor old n egress with a professional eye. It 

 was the first time he had ever had the opportunity to see this style 

 of dissection, and Lou Jackson sat down on a log and wept as if 

 her heart would break. Aunty Blase had been a friend of many 

 years to her, and had baked the cakes at the feasts that yearly 

 honoured her birth, and many a time had slyly cooked favourite 

 dishes for her young mistress. It was no wonder then that Lou 

 felt as though she had lost an aunt in reality, and not merely a 

 slave. 



A short consultation was had. Mike detailed the fact that the 

 young Indian that had accompanied them back had been watching 

 their camp last night, and stated his belief that he was there for 

 the purpose of informing his tribe of our movements and of our 

 return, in order that they might be prepared to surprise us, either 



