THE SICK BOY 135 



He heard a voice, but saw no man. He cocked his 

 gun. 



The tall canes began to waver before him. 



A giant negro rose up. 



"Standstill or die!" 



The negro had a gun, but Audubon saw it was worth- 

 less. He dropped the stock of his own gun on the ground 

 and turned to the negro a friendly face. 



" I am not your enemy," said Audubon, " but only a 

 hunter. Who are you? " 



" Will you not betray an honest man, master, 'fore 

 God? " 



" I never betrayed an honest man. I tell you the truth. 

 I bear no man an ill will." 



" And you will not give me up ? " 



" If you are not a criminal your secret shall be mine." 



" Then I am a runaway — a fugitive. I ran away for 

 the love of my own wife and children. We were to be sold 

 apart, and I hid them here in the swamps of the canes. I 

 love my own wife and children, stranger. It is the will of 

 God that I should love them, and that they should be mine. 

 Is not that right, stranger? " 



" That law is right." 



" Then follow me to my house. I will shelter you 

 there, and help you to carry away your birds. I know the 

 trails of the swamps." 



The negro's eyes glowed, and an amiable and lovable 



